Chao, Labor Department Award $10 Million In Aid For Displaced N.C. Workers

Posted 10:19 a.m. Oct 21, 2003 — Updated 10:19 a.m. Oct 21, 2003

RALEIGH, N.C. — United States Department of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced Tuesday that her department is offering $10 million in federal assistance to provide temporary employment opportunities to workers displaced by Hurricane Isabel and other dislocated workers -- including those affected by layoffs due to federal trade policies.

Chao was joined for Tuesday's announcement by Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue.

On Sept. 26, the state applied for an $18 million

National Emergency Grant

administered by the

U.S. Department of Labor.

Local public entities will use the funds to employ dislocated workers to address hurricane recovery needs.

Twenty-six counties that got federal disaster designation for public assistance on Sept. 18 are eligible. Those counties include Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, Martin, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell and Washington.

Temporary employment opportunities will range from clean-up and restoration efforts in the counties to benefiting hurricane victims through humanitarian service work.

Examples of specific work in previous disasters include food stamp processors, clerical aids, truck drivers, painters, security guards, sanitation workers and carpenters.

These grants have also created highly-skilled jobs such as engineers, landscape architects, nurse practitioners and licensed practical nurses.

Dislocated workers should contact their local Employment Security Commission or the local workforce development board to find out more about this program and how to apply.

People also may call

1-800-562-6333

for more information.

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