WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of the Business Center, a suite of online resources for employers looking to recruit, train and retain a skilled work force through the department's CareerOneStop Web site.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $1 million National Emergency Grant increment to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security to continue funding temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaac.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,183,749 National Emergency Grant for training and re-employment services to assist nearly 400 workers throughout Missouri affected by the closure of Hostess Brands Inc.

Most of the workers were employed at 39 work sites throughout Missouri; however, the grant also will serve Missouri residents employed at three locations in Kansas and one in Oklahoma. It may also assist workers leased to Hostess by other companies.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced the availability of approximately $20 million in grant funds to help adult inmates prepare to re-enter the workforce. The department expects to award 15 grants of up to $1.4 million each to organizations that will provide training and employment to inmates ages 18 and older participating in state or local work release programs.

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $406,101 National Emergency Grant increment to continue funding temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery efforts following damage caused by wildfires across the state of Texas in 2011.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,119,339 National Emergency Grant increment to continue cleanup and recovery efforts across Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

"Louisiana continues to need assistance to recover from the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Isaac last year,"said acting Secretary Seth D. Harris. "These Labor Department grant funds will help rebuild homes and businesses, and make communities stronger."

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $6 million in grants for the third round of the Workforce Data Quality Initiative. These funds will enable up to six additional states to build or expand longitudinal databases that link workforce and education data, enabling them to improve the performance of workforce programs.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million National Emergency Grant to assist Mississippi with cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of recent storms, tornadoes and flooding.

"This Labor Department grant will provide a lifeline to people who need work and a paycheck while allowing them to begin rebuilding their communities," said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. "Investments like this strengthen communities by assisting in their recovery and putting local workers back on the job."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $5,192,500 National Emergency Grant to assist workers and their families impacted by layoffs at coal mining companies in eastern Kentucky. This funding will provide re-employment services not only for miners who are laid off but for their spouses who have been homemakers and are, due to the loss of wages, seeking to enter the workforce to support their families.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $1,263,339 National Emergency Grant increment to continue employment-related services for more than 360 workers affected by layoffs in the commonwealth of Massachusetts from 12 companies, four of which provided staffing to the other eight.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $391,539 National Emergency Grant to assist Arkansas with clean-up and recovery efforts after the severe winter storm that struck the state Dec. 25-26, 2012.

"The destruction caused by this severe storm affected lives throughout the state of Arkansas," said Jane Oates, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. "There is a great deal of recovery work to be done, and the Labor Department is committed to helping Arkansans rebuild their communities."

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of approximately $32 million through two grant competitions that will offer job training, education and support services to formerly incarcerated youths and women.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending February 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 362,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 342,000. The 4-week moving average was 360,750, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised average of 352,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that approximately 18,000 workers laid off in 48 states from 864 Hostess company locations are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending February 9, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 341,000, a decrease of 27,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 368,000. The 4-week moving average was 352,500, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 351,000.

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a grant of $159,734 to the state of Rhode Island to enhance and promote its Self-Employment Assistance program. Rhode Island plans to use the funding to implement intensive training as well as one-on-one mentoring to assist potential entrepreneurs in starting their own businesses.

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today issued the following statement regarding North Carolina House of Representatives Bill 4:

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending February 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 366,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 371,000. The 4-week moving average was 350,500, a decrease of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 352,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a grant competition for the National Farmworker Jobs Program. Funds will be used to provide career training and employment and supportive services to improve economic opportunities for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families.

"Farmworkers – harvesting and packaging the vegetables and fruits that feed a nation – are vital to our economy. These Labor Department grants will be an investment that benefits not only these workers but all of us," said acting Secretary Seth D. Harris.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 368,000, an increase of 38,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 330,000. The 4-week moving average was 352,000, an increase of 250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 351,750.