WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today said that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a National Emergency Grant to Iowa Workforce Development to provide services to the approximately 800 workers affected by layoffs at John Morrell and Company in Sioux City. Earlier this year, Grassley reiterated the importance of assistance to these workers in two separate letters to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. Grassley’s letters can be found here and here.
The Department of Labor is granting funding of up to $6,255,784, with $3,703,681 to be initially released to Iowa Workforce Development. The services for workers will be provided by the Community Action Agency of Siouxland and Job Training Partners.
“These funds will help Sioux City recover from the loss of this employer and assist the individuals affected by its closure to find high quality jobs in the area, so they can continue raising their families in Siouxland,” Grassley said.
According to the Department of Labor, National Emergency Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of Workforce Investment Act training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events which cause significant job losses. National Emergency Grants generally provide resources to states and local workforce investment boards to quickly reemploy laid-off workers by offering training to increase occupational skills.