Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, and Congressmen Evan Jenkins and Alex X. Mooney today announced that West Virginia has secured a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to offer 250 temporary jobs for flood disaster clean-up activities in the 12 counties under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster declaration. The program will be administered through WorkForce West Virginia.
“What made this disaster one of the most devastating to occur in West Virginia’s history was the tragic loss of 23 lives and the overwhelming destruction of entire towns,” Gov. Tomblin said. “This flooding resulted in major damage to many businesses and, as a result, a loss of jobs for West Virginians who need income to support their families in this incredibly challenging time. These grant dollars are a substantial step in helping impacted residents as they recover and rebuild.”
“This funding will provide much needed relief to West Virginians who have lost their businesses, their homes and their jobs as a result of this horrific flooding and I’m pleased the Department of Labor has stepped up to help them rebuild,” Senator Manchin said. “My staff and I have been visiting flood-impacted areas and I have never seen such devastation in my home state like I have in the aftermath of this historic flooding. We must ensure every West Virginian affected by this flood is provided with the resources they need to recover, and this funding will help accomplish that.”
“West Virginians have really stepped up to the plate to help one another during this extremely difficult time, and I could not be more proud of our state,” said Senator Capito. “We still have a lot of work left to do, which is why I am glad this grant funding is heading to the Mountain State to help bring some relief to the affected communities and assist many people who are struggling to get back on their feet.”
“We have a long road ahead of us as we work to clean up and rebuild from these devastating floods,” said Rep. Jenkins. “Many West Virginians are struggling in tough economic times, and WorkForce West Virginia will be able to use this grant to provide good jobs while helping our communities. These funds will provide families with paychecks while helping to lift up flood-ravaged communities. By working together, I know we will rebuild.”
“After the devastating natural disaster hit our state late last month, countless West Virginians lost their homes and livelihoods. As the healing process continues, these Department of Labor funds will supplement existing efforts to help families and communities across our state get back on their feet. The flood waters may have receded, but our work is far from over. I will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure that West Virginians are given the resources they need to rebuild stronger than ever,” said Rep. Mooney.
WorkForce West Virginia submitted a disaster emergency grant application to the U.S. Department of Labor on July 1 for National Dislocated Workers Grant funds, and Gov. Tomblin sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on July 12 underscoring the critical need to support West Virginia workers and communities as quickly as possible.
Those interested in applying should contact WorkForce West Virginia by calling 877-967-5498 or visitingwww.workforcewv.org.
To read the disaster emergency grant application letter in its entirety, click here.
Counties under the federal disaster declaration are Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster.
