$8 Million Grant To Help Workers Displaced By Ike
The Texas Workforce Commission will receive an initialfederal grant of nearly eight million dollars to assist workers displaced as a result of Hurricane Ike, Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) announced Wednesday.
The funding will go toward establishing a temporary employment program. Officials with Cornyn’s office said in a news release that workers participating in the program will assist in cleanup and recovery efforts, as well as humanitarian efforts, such as projects to provide food, clothing and shelter.
Thefunds can be used to provide wages and benefits to eligible temporary job participants for the next six months in Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller and Washington counties, according to Governor Rick Perry’s office.
Approximately 600 individuals will be temporarily employed and the program could be funded additionally up to $15,883,200.
The governor’s office said that local workforce development board areas impacted by the hurricane and funded by TWC will coordinate with local and county governments to provide the temporary jobs.
Workers displaced by Hurricane Ike should visit their local workforce boards to apply for benefits. For a list of locations, visit www.texasworkforce.org.
