WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu announced that dislocated workers who have been affected by layoffs at Boise Cascade, LLC, in St. Helens will receive employment-related services thanks to funding from the economic recovery package.  Oregon will receive this money as a National Emergency Grant from the Department of Labor.

"In Oregon, we are starting to see the positive effects of the economic recovery package that Congress passed in February," said Congressman Wu.  "The grant funds awarded today will go a long way towards helping laid off workers in Columbia County learn new skills and be competitive in a changing job market."

In November 2008, Boise Cascade announced that it would be laying off 300 of the 470 worker at its pulp and paper mill in St. Helens. This announcement was made less than two months after Boise Cascade announced the closure of its adjacent veneer mill, affecting 36 hourly workers and management staff.

"We are working hard to both employ people today and build our economic capacity for the future," said Congressman Wu.  "The economic recovery legislation invests in education and training to enhance our current and future workforce.  This is one more example of the ways in which the hard-working people of Columbia County benefit from our efforts to rebuild the economy."

The Department of Labor has awarded a National Emergency Grant of up to $1,416,970, with an initial award of $599,103, to the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development to help Columbia County workers.