U.S. Department of Labor Awards $3 Million Dislocated Worker Grant To Florida for Hurricane Dorian Recovery

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant of $3,000,000 to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to assess workforce needs in response to Hurricane Dorian.

The storm passed along the Florida coast on September 2-3, 2019, causing extraordinary levels of storm surge and flooding, along with wind gusts of 130 miles per hour. Before the storm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued an emergency declaration that allowed the state to request Dislocated Worker Grant funding to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in 67 counties. The state proposes using these funds for cleanup activities in four counties: Brevard, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funds 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.