WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley said that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $737,608 National Emergency Grant to Iowa Workforce Development to provide services to the approximately 100 workers affected by layoffs at Skyjack Inc. in Emmetsburg, and Freudenberg NOK in Spencer. The grant will be operated by the Northwest Iowa Planning and Development Commission.
“These funds will help these communities recover from the loss of this employer and assist the individuals affected by its closure to find jobs in the area, so they can continue living in Iowa,” 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.