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Maryland Unemployment Grant

May 27th, 2007 Posted by Amelia

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you are probably well informed about the importance of the Department of Labor WIRED grants with regards to keeping unemployment from skyrocketing and helping local economies.

The country wide figures of unemployment are pretty low. Recent unemployment statistics state that the unemployment rate is averaging around 4%. That doesn’t seem high to the average person, but economists might consider such a figure a labor shortage. The rate for those with a college education or strong skills and experience, is slightly under 2% for the entire U.S.

Even though the country as a whole doesn’t have terribly high unemployment rates, many regions do still have higher rates. It is because of this that unemployment grants have become so important.

Parts of the state could greatly benefit from a Maryland unemployment grant. It has been customary for the area to high higher than average rates of unemployment. Arkansas, Alabama, Texas and several other states have been awarded grants through the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Initiative program, also called WIRED grants. So far, Maryland hasn’t received one.

WIRED was launched in February of 2006 by the United States Dept. of Labor. There was a competitive grant process that many regions went through. Thirteen regions were selected to have their economies improved. It is an extremely competitive grant process with wonderful rewards.

There will be a third competition for the WIRED grants program, as announced by the US Secretary of Labor. All state or regional governors can enter the competition and each one has been sent a letter of notification. Up to two grant proposals can be submitted by each governor. They can request grants up to $5 million per proposal. It is required that state, regional, and private funding sources should be specified as assistance to the grant.

The Secretary of Labor says, “WIRED brings together universities, businesses, community colleges, foundations and economic development organizations to help equip regional workforces with the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century worldwide economy.”