Miss. workers affected by the closure of Harrah's Casino Tunica
to receive assistance from US Labor Department

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2.5 million grant to assist about 650 individuals who were laid off because of the closure of Harrah's Casino Tunica resort, located in Tunica, Mississippi.

"The closure of this resort will have a significant economic impact on the lives of families in the area," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "This funding will help provide a wide range of reemployment services to prepare these former workers for good jobs in high-demand industries."

Awarded to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, this grant will be operated by South Delta Planning and Development District Inc. It will provide the affected workers with access to reemployment services, such as career and skill assessments, job search assistance, supportive services and training.

On March 26, 2014, the workers at Harrah's Casino Tunica were notified by a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice that about 1,384 workers would lose their jobs when the resort ceased operations on June 2, 2014.

Of the $2,500,000 announced today, $883,031 will be released initially. Additional funding, up to the amount approved, will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for assistance.

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.