labor lawAdivision of labor law center

On September 24, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a grant of more than $15 million to Texas in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Of the total grant, $7.9 million will be released initially. The balance will be released as the state demonstrates a continued need for disaster assistance.

“This $15.9 million National Emergency Grant  will put several hundred Texans to work helping communities recover from Hurricane Ike damage,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “This grant will also fund humanitarian assistance such as food, clothing, shelter and other critical aid that Texans affected by the hurricane devastation are in need of.”

The grant, totaling $15,883,200 will be used to (more…)

The federal government recently announced grants totaling $10 million to train workers for the growing energy industry.

High gas prices have prompted an even greater interest in alternative sources of energy, including nuclear energy, wind power, solar energy and ethanol. There has also been renewed interest in offshore oil drilling. This has fueled demand for workers in the field, nationwide.

The Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County in Santa Rose, California (more…)

The US Department of Labor recently awarded $250,000 to develop strategic economic growth plans for Kentucky and Tennessee. Most of the area affected is in the extreme western tip of Kentucky.

“This $250,000 grant to the West Kentucky Workforce Investment Board will boost efforts to expand the region’s economy and increase job opportunities for Kentucky workers,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

The primary focus of the grant is the (more…)

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a $7,350,171 grant to Texas employers to create approximately 475 temporary jobs to assist in cleanup and recovery efforts as a result of Hurricane Dolly.

Dolly, a category 2 hurricane, struck the Texas Gulf Coast on July 24, 2008. The storm left inches of rain in its wake. More than 175, 000 residents were still without power a day later, and damages were estimated at $750 million.   Dolly also affected portions of Mexico and other Gulf Coast regions.

“This $7.4 million grant will provide Texans with temporary jobs assisting in disaster relief and clean-up efforts to help communities recover from Hurricane Dolly damage,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

On July 24, (more…)

The US Department of Labor recently announced community-based worker training grants for Arkansas totaling just under $3.5 million. The President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative awarded $125 million to 69 community colleges across the United States.

The competition was announced in August of 2007, and received 341 applications. The funds go to training facilities and community colleges to aid workers in competing for high-growth industry jobs.

The two Arkansas grants go to (more…)