Storm Ravaged Counties to be Helped by Emergency Grant

Thursday, June 02, 2011 | 11:28am
59 Counties Eligible for Disaster Cleanup Jobs
 
NASHVILLE – Tennessee is receiving a $3.6 million National Emergency Grant to be used in cleanup and recovery efforts after severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and associated flooding struck the state in late April and early May. The grant will fund temporary jobs in 59 counties hardest hit.
 
“The grant will help communities rebuild and at the same time provide income to people who lost employment in the wake of the storms,” said Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Karla Davis.
 
The funds awarded will be used to create temporary jobs to clean, repair, renovate, and reconstruct structures, facilities, and lands damaged or destroyed by flooding, high winds, and tornadoes.
 
“The local workforce investment areas in the 59 counties eligible to receive assistance estimate the emergency grant will provide jobs for a total of 480 people,” said Commissioner Davis. Dislocated workers or the long-term unemployed may be eligible for an average of 12 weeks of subsidized employment or workforce training.
 
As a result of the storms a month ago, President Obama declared the state of Tennessee a disaster area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued four declarations that together include the following 59 counties eligible for its Public Assistance Program: Benton, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Carroll, Chester, Cocke, Crockett, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Fentress, Franklin, Gibson, Giles, Greene, Hamilton, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Loudon, Madison, Marshall, McMinn, McNairy, Monroe, Montgomery, Moore, Obion, Perry, Pickett, Polk, Rhea, Scott, Sequatchie, Shelby, Smith, Stewart, Sullivan, Sumner, Tipton, Washington, Wayne, and Weakley.
 
National Emergency Grants are part of the U.S. Secretary of Labor’s discretionary fund are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. 
 
Those wanting to apply for one of the jobs or needing further information should contact their local workforce investment area office or call the TDLWD Workforce Development Division at (615) 741-1031.
 
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