U.S. Department of Labor Awards Additional Funds to Florida to Continue Disaster Relief Efforts after Hurricane Michael

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded additional National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) funding to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to continue disaster-relief efforts in response to Hurricane Michael and to provide career and training services to individuals forced to relocate in the storm's aftermath.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration following the October 2018 storm, enabling the state to request federal assistance. At that time, the Department awarded $2,500,000 to assist with recovery efforts in the 18 southern counties included in the declaration. Additional funding of $5,833,333 followed in April 2019, to continue the steady pace of recovery activities. This latest award of $8,333,333 brings total DWG funds awarded for this project to $16,666,666. 

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.