State Requests Emergency Workforce Funds

Grant monies will provide humanitarian relief and jumpstart local economies

Tallahassee, FL – At the request of Governor Charlie Crist, the State of Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation has submitted a National Emergency Grant (NEG) request in the amount of $20 million to the U.S. Department of Labor.

“These funds will be critical in helping provide humanitarian relief for the millions of Floridians impacted by Tropical Storm Fay,” said Monesia T. Brown, Director of the Agency for Workforce Innovation. “We will put this money to work immediately to help our citizens and to stimulate the local economies.”

This grant will provide funding to assist with:

Local Humanitarian Assistance – NEG funds will be available to support disaster recovery centers and related community outreach in the affected areas. These type activities include distributing vital supplies such as food, water and shelter for citizens in affected areas.

Emergency Jobs Program – NEG funds will provide jobs for local citizens to help in the clearing of debris on public property and lands, and to address other clean-up issues related to Tropical Storm Fay. Regional Workforce Boards will operate the programs in the affected areas, where citizens will be able to apply directly for the jobs. The locations and dates pertaining to the start-up of these programs are forthcoming.

Small Capitalization Grants - The Agency has also requested through the NEG process a waiver under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) that would allow small capitalization grants of up to $5000 for disaster assistance critical to economic recovery. The Agency for Workforce Innovation will coordinate administration of these important funds with their partners at Workforce Florida, Inc. and those in the economic development community.

The Agency is also working closely with the U.S. Department of Labor to expedite the release of this critical funding and will continue to release updates as they become available.

###