U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02), John Boozman (AR-03), and Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that Arkansas will receive a $1,914,413 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to create 127 temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery efforts resulting from recent natural disasters. The federal dollars also will help provide food, clothing, shelter, and other humanitarian assistance for disaster victims.
“Severe storms and tornadoes destroyed a record number of Arkansas homes and businesses this year,” said Pryor. “As residents work to put their lives back together, this funding will help them rejoin the workforce and provide for themselves and their families. I will continue to fight for disaster relief funds for Arkansas and support programs that provide critical aid to communities in need.”
“This funding will provide much needed assistance to so many who are still suffering from the aftermath of this year’s severe weather, providing basic needs like food, clothing and shelter as well as temporary employment opportunities for those who have lost work,” said Berry. “As I have visited with those impacted across the district, I have been struck by the toll that the storms have taken and by the perseverance of Arkansas people. Arkansans are strong people and we will get through this tough time by working together to rebuild our communities and make them even better than before.”
“It has been a devastating spring for storms, but hopefully this funding will expedite the recovery efforts and help get these communities back on their feet,” Congressman Snyder said.
The grant, awarded to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, will fund temporary employment on the 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 humanitarian assistance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared multiple counties in Arkansas as eligible for its Public Assistance program. The state has targeted the counties of Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Conway, Izard, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Newton, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, Searcy, Sharp, Stone and Washington for assistance through this grant. National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary of Labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.
