EMPLOYMENT: DOL Awards Emergency Grants Awarded to Californians to Help with Recovery from Recent Winter Storm

February 24, 2011

Washington – The US Department of Labor (DOL) will give $11,267,940 worth of National Emergency Grant to serve as assistance with the clean-up and recovery efforts to counties in California affected by the heavy winter storms that happened last December 17, 2010 to January 4, 2011, the agency said Thursday.

The funds extended to the California Employment Development Department will be used mainly to create temporary jobs to assist in recovery efforts. "Such events can exact a high toll from communities. Providing grant assistance to Californians to aid recovery is the right thing to do.” DOL Secretary Hilda L. Solis said.

The winter storms caused high winds and excessive precipitation throughout California. It also resulted to flooding and mud flows that damaged roads, wastewater treatment plants, and trails.

Last January 26, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared the 10 counties eligible for its Public Assistance Program – Inyo, Kern, Kings, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Tulare.

Of the total amount, $3,755,980 will be released initially. The rest will be made available if the state continues to show a need for assistance.

The National Emergency Grants are part of the Labor Secretary’s discretionary fund. Specific guidelines must be met by the state in order to be awarded of it.