WASHINGTON (KCEN)–The U.S. Department of Labor awarded over $3 million of a national emergency grant increment to provide reemployment services to nearly 1,450 individuals affected by the realignments and closures of military facilities throughout Texas, including Fort Hood.
A $3,058,366 national emergency grant will go to facilities including Fort Bliss in El Paso, Fort Hood, the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant and the Tred River Army Depot in Texarkana and multiple bases in San Antonio.
"Today's grant award will provide crucial job
placement assistance, skills training and other re-employment services to help workers
launch new careers," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "When base realignments and closures lead
to job losses for those who support our military communities, it is our
government's responsibility to assist these workers on their path toward
new opportunities."
On March 1, 2011, a National Emergency Grant was approved for up to $6,116,896,
with $3,058,530 released initially, to serve military personnel and their
spouses who were impacted by the decisions of the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission,
as well as local dislocated workers needed to fill critical labor shortages in
communities experiencing growth due to base realignment and closure actions.
Monday's increment, awarded to the Texas
Workforce Commission, completes the total grant amount.
National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's
discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet
specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG.
