$2.5 million grant supplement awarded to continue flood recovery efforts in southeastern counties of Ohio

WASHINGTON – A $2.5 million National Emergency Grant supplement was announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor to create about 1,394 temporary jobs to help with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts following severe storms and flooding that hit 21 counties of southeastern Ohio between April 4 and May 15, 2011.

"While extensive work has gone into cleanup, this Labor Department funding will create employment opportunities for Ohioans and help them to continue to restore their communities," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. "The additional federal funding will be used to clean up the remaining waterway blockages that continue to pose flooding risks to public infrastructure."

The funds are being awarded to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to continue temporary employment for eligible individuals to assist with the cleanup of affected areas.

On July 13, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 21 Ohio counties eligible for its public assistance program. The department awarded a $16,233,360 grant on Aug. 8, 2011, with $3.5 million released initially. Incremental grants totaling $12,733,360 were awarded in January and April 2012, followed by supplemental funding of $12,193,752 in June 2012. This latest supplemental funding brings the total awarded for this project to $30,927,112.

This grant currently will serve 10 of the affected 21 counties: Athens, Belmont, Gallia, Jefferson, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, Ross, Scioto and Washington. More information on designated disaster areas in Ohio is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4002/designated-areas.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.