Labor Department Grants $4.3 Million to Create Katrina Clean Up Jobs in Fla.

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a National Emergency Grant in the amount of $4.3 million to create approximately 575 temporary jobs to aid in the cleanup and recovery efforts taking place in Florida as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Wilma

“This grant will create nearly 600 jobs to assist in the cleanup and recovery of these communities,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “Workers employed by this grant will also provide food, clothing, shelter and other humanitarian assistance for victims of the Hurricane.”

The grant, awarded to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, will provide temporary jobs for the provision of humanitarian aid to areas affected by the hurricane. Additionally, employment and training services will be provided to workers dislocated as a result of the damage caused by Hurricane Wilma.

“We are working with state officials to deliver assistance, so that affected Floridians can recover and restart their lives as soon as possible after Hurricane Wilma,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “This grant will fund projects that help people find work quickly while moving recovery and cleanup efforts forward.”

On October 24, 2005, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared the following counties in Florida eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance program: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, St. Lucie, and Sarasota.

National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines.