Department of Labor approves $20 million for Florida relief

Department of Labor approves $20 million for Florida relief

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a $20 million grant to the state of Florida to fund the creation of approximately 6,500 temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery efforts under way in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fay.

"This $20 million grant will provide Floridians with temporary jobs assisting in disaster relief and cleanup efforts to help communities recover from the record amounts of rain that fell as a result of Tropical Storm Fay," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

On August 21 the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared all 67 Florida counties eligible for FEMA's public assistance program.

The grant, awarded to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, will provide funding to create temporary employment on projects that provide cleanup, demolition, repair, renovation and reconstruction of damaged structures and public lands within affected communities.

Funds also will be used for projects that provide food, clothing, shelter and other types of assistance, including work on the homes of individuals eligible for the federally funded weatherization program.

Of the $20 million awarded, $8 million will be released initially, the department said. Additional funding up to the amount approved will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need for disaster assistance.