Additional funding awarded for Lummi Nation fishermen
affected by fishing industry layoffs in Washington State

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $882,032 National Emergency Grant supplemental award to provide continued employment-related services to approximately 630 workers affected by fishing industry layoffs in the Lummi Nation, a tribal government with more than 5,000 members in Bellingham, Wash.

"The loss of work for Lummi Nation fishermen, an occupation practiced there for thousands of years, is a stark reminder of the importance of training and education to help equip displaced workers with new skills for opportunities in today's economy," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Portia Wu. "These additional funds will allow these workers, many of whom have significant barriers to employment, to continue receiving these vital services to help them find new work."

Awarded to the Lummi Nation, the grant will continue to provide affected workers with access to dislocated worker services, including literacy education, basic skills training, career counseling, resume writing, on-the-job training, and training toward professional certifications.

The initial grant of up to $3,390,568 was approved on October 20, 2010, with $847,644 released initially. In June 2012, once the initial funds were expended, the department awarded the remaining $2,542,924 for the project. As the need continues, the department is awarding supplemental funds of $882,032, bringing the total funds awarded to $4,272,600.

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.