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California Unemployment Grant

April 20th, 2007 Posted by Amelia

In a recent speech, Assistant U.S. Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily DeRocco said, “Strong regional economies that are built on maximizing talent and innovation will be crucial to the nation’s success in the global economy.”

This philosophy is the guiding light for WIRED, or Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development; a federal government initiative meant to help the regions with an impoverished economy. In spite of the robust economic health of the United States, some regions of the country suffer from poor economy and high unemployment rates.

Some of the areas that have received grants include the Wasatch Range in Utah, Northern Alabama, Northern California, the Delaware Valley Tri-State Area, Southeastern Michigan, Appalachian Ohio, and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas Southern Tennessee, Southwestern Connecticut, Southeastern Wisconsin, Northern Indiana and the Arkansas/Mississippi Delta.

The third phase of WIRED grants is current in the bidding process. WIRED gives money to the regions in question, to train their workforce and bring them into the position where they can make a positive contribution to the country. In the first phase, $195 million has been given away in thirteen regions across United States. In the second phase, another $65 million will be distributed. The disbursal of money is based on a competition involving state governors.

This money is expected to make some very healthy changes in the lives of the people of Northern California. On the occasion of this announcement regarding California, U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao said, “Investing in area workforces through this collaborative approach will boost entire regions’ economic vitality. This regional economic development strategy transcends political boundaries to better leverage a region’s assets to help workers succeed in the 21st century worldwide economy.”

The initial California Unemployment Grant will be $5 million from WIRED. The will be given $500,000 initially, as a gift. The rest of the money will be given to them when they have prepared a regional implementation plan.