DOL Awards $614K for Continued West Virginia Cleanup

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced an incremental award of US$614,437 to WorkForce West Virginia to enable the state to continue to provide temporary employment for cleanup and recovery services in nine counties affected by severe storms that hit the area in 2021.

WorkForce West Virginia is a DOL-funded state government agency that oversees the state’s unemployment insurance program as well as a network of workforce development services.

Severe storms in February and March of 2021 caused flooding and extensive waterway damage in southwestern areas of the state. The recent funding follows an announcement on August 9, 2021, regarding the department’s award of a National Dislocated Worker Grant of up to $3,050,769—with an initial award of $1,016,923—to employ people to remove debris from streams, clear downed trees and do other cleanup work in Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Putnam, and Wayne counties.

Administered by the Employment and Training Administration, the award will support jobs at 27 worksites in southwestern West Virginia. With today’s announcement, the total awarded for the project is $1,632,360.