|
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02), and John Boozman (AR-03) announced that Arkansas will receive a $2,167,099 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to create 151 temporary jobs related to January’s devastating ice storm.
“Severe weather left many Arkansas homes and businesses without power, caused significant property damage, and tragically, took the lives of a few Arkansans,” Lincoln said. “In the days after the storm, our first responders and community members answered the call to support their neighbors. I am pleased that the federal government has recognized our state’s need for additional assistance, which will play a critical role in our state’s recovery efforts.”
“These funds will help restore and revitalize Arkansas towns hit hardest by this year’s ice storms, while also providing more than 150 jobs to dislocated workers. It’s a win-win for the well-being of our economy and community,” said Pryor.
“Although Mother Nature has given us a difficult situation to deal with, Arkansans are resilient and we will get through this tragedy by working together and supporting one another,” said Berry. “This funding will give these affected communities the resources to hopefully speed up recovery efforts and rebuild their communities better than they were before.”
“I am pleased to see funding for jobs coming to Arkansas to help restore the Natural state's beauty after the devastating ice storms in January,” said Snyder. “This funding will help hardworking Arkansans hit by both the ice storm and the economic downturn.”
“The ice storm has had a devastating effect on our neighborhoods. We have spent a significant amount of money on cleanup efforts but there are still much to do,” Boozman said. “I’m committed to doing everything we can to make sure we get the resources needed to respond to this disaster.”
The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services will receive the grant to provide temporary storm-related jobs, including demolition, repair, renovation and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities and land within affected communities. Additionally, these funds may be used to perform work on the homes of economically disadvantaged individuals eligible for the federally funded weatherization program. Funds also will be used to provide core, intensive and retraining services for individuals selected for the temporary jobs who cannot return to work.
This grant will target 19 of the 30 Arkansas counties declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Feb. 6 to be eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne, Crawford, Franklin, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren and Washington. Other counties may be included under the grant following further evaluation.
Of the $2,167,099 announced today, $725,000 will be released initially.
The balance will be released as the state demonstrates a continued need for disaster assistance.
National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary of Labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.
|
|
