The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will get almost $28.4 million in federal funds to help workers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. Labor Department announced this week that it will send $28,394,746 to DEO as part of $118 million in Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) to help “address the workforce-related impacts of the coronavirus public health emergency.” The funding comes from the Dislocated Worker Grant National Reserve Funds.
“As we approach the end of the fiscal year, it is important to provide further funding under these grants to ensure the money is getting to those most in need,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training John Pallasch in the Labor Department. “As states and localities continue to reopen, these funds can be used for a variety of services to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus including hiring contact tracers and school cleaning services.”
“Disaster Recovery DWGs may provide eligible participants disaster-relief employment opportunities to address the effects of the coronavirus on their communities, as well as employment and training activities. Employment Recovery DWGs provide reemployment services to eligible individuals affected by mass layoffs, such as those resulting from the coronavirus pandemic,” the Labor Department noted.
The Labor Department also announced 14 other recipients in Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas. DEO tops the list and is getting the most federal funds.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
