US Labor Department announces $7.5M in re-employment assistancefor Kentucky workers who lost jobs in coal mining industry

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $7,549,409 in additional National Emergency Grant funding to continue providing services to individuals who have been affected by layoffs from the coal mining industry throughout the commonwealth of Kentucky.

"We first provided funds to help affected individuals in 2013, and the additional funds announced today will increase the availability of training and job search services in Kentucky," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "These grants will grow the local economy, strengthen its workforce and create opportunity for Kentuckians in the 21st century."

These funds, awarded to the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program Inc., will continue the delivery of re-employment assistance to individuals already being served by the grant, as well as provide services to additional individuals, for a total of approximately 2,000 people who are now expected to receive assistance.

The original award of up to $5,192,500, of which $3,787,017 has been released, was approved on March 4, 2013, to serve individuals affected by layoffs in the coal mining industry throughout the commonwealth. Today’s award brings the total funds awarded for this project to $11,336,426.

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.