Additional $3.5M to assist NJ with continued Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts provided by US Labor Department

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $3,599,600 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to assist New Jersey with completing cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

"The recovery work from the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy continues for the people of New Jersey," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "This supplemental funding will support the completion of these efforts, while providing temporary work opportunities for those in need of employment."

These funds, awarded to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, will help the state continue its cleanup efforts through Dec. 31, 2014, at current project sites in the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Sussex.

Subsequent to an initial Federal Emergency Management Agency declaration of eligibility for public assistance, this grant was approved on Nov. 1, 2012, for up to $15,591,400, with $5,197,133 released initially. On Dec. 5, 2012, incremental funding of $10,394,267 was approved, to bring the project up to its full approval amount of $15,591,400. This supplemental funding approval of $3,599,600 brings the total funds awarded for this project to $19,191,000.

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.