WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced $4 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor for Workforce West Virginia. The funds will be used to support approximately 500 workers who are assisting with recovery efforts following the flooding that swept through West Virginia last summer.
Last July, the department awarded $3.5 million to Workforce West Virginia through the National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) program, which would help create approximately 250 disaster relief jobs to assist with recovery efforts in 18 West Virginia counties following last summer’s severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. Today’s announcement brings the total amount of funding to $7.5 million to support this project.
“Even a year later, West Virginians are still feeling the effects of last summer’s flood,” Senator Capito said. “Our state has a long tradition of helping those in need, and this funding will help restore those communities that suffered damages after the floods last summer. I am pleased these resources been awarded to Workforce West Virginia to help spur job creation and other recovery efforts.”
“The incredible efforts our communities made to rebuild after the 2016 flooding show the strength and resilience of West Virginians,” Senator Manchin said. “This funding is a much needed boost for the West Virginia families that are still recovering and will help communities sustain their efforts to restore their homes and towns.”
Temporary employees will assist with clean-up, demolition, repair, renovation and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities and lands in Braxton, Clay, Fayette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Randolph, Roane, Summers, Upshur, Wayne and Webster Counties.
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