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Hawaii Unemployment Grant

May 31st, 2007 Posted by Amelia

The national unemployment figures for the United States are good. At the present time they stand at 1.9% for highly skilled workers, or those with a college education, and 4% generally.

So why do we need a third generation of WIRED unemployment grants?

Well if you happen to live in certain regions, you will probably be able to answer this, as a few areas throughout the United States, have higher than average unemployment.

So, despite the state’s traditionally high employment rates, a Hawaii unemployment grant could be welcome news!

The third generation of WIRED grants was recently announced by US Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao. And for all regions that wish to apply for a WIRED grant, the competition will be fierce. WIRED is the shortened way of referring to the Workforce Innovation in regional Economic Development Initiative.

Each state or territory governor was sent a letter from the Dept of Labor outlining how the regions should compete for the WIRED grants. Some of the points covered were as follows:

Each governor can only submit up to two applications.
Each application can be for up to $5 million.
Each region that is applying, must show that they can match the investment by the Department of Labor.
Sources of funding for the point above can come from private, regional or state sources.

In February 2006, thirteen regions were successful in their applications for WIRED grants. This resulted in those regions having the opportunity to completely transform their economies.

Although the competition for the WIRED grants is high, so are the rewards, and with such stakes, it brings together from many different organizations in an attempt to win one of the grants.

Secretary Chao made the point when she said that “WIRED brings together universities, businesses, community colleges, foundations and economic development organizations.”