More than $700,000 in additional funding for storm cleanup
and recovery efforts in Arkansas provided by US Labor Department

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $702,741 National Emergency Grant incremental award to continue creating temporary jobs for eligible individuals to assist with the cleanup and recovery efforts resulting from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Arkansas that occurred between May 30 and June 3, 2013. Funds are being awarded to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.

"Cleanup and recovery efforts continue in Arkansas, and there is a continuing need to employ workers in these temporary jobs until that recovery is complete," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Eric M. Seleznow. "This funding will provide assistance to the communities in need that have been impacted by this violent weather."

This grant was initially approved on July 18, 2013, for up to $1,054,112, with $351,371 released initially, to assist in the aftermath of a series of destructive spring weather events in Arkansas. This incremental award announced today brings the total funds awarded for this project to the full approved amount, which is projected to create a total of 61 temporary jobs.

Following the storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared Cleburne, Cross, Independence, Montgomery, Poinsett, Polk, Scott, Searcy, Stone, Van Buren and Woodruff counties eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program. The state is targeting Cleburne, Independence, Polk, Scott, Searcy, Stone, Van Buren and Woodruff counties for assistance under this grant. More information on designated disaster areas in Arkansas is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4124.

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/.