CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A $1 million dollar grant is going to support disaster-relief jobs, employment, and training services for West Virginia residents still suffering after the severe storms that hit in mid-February.
The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded the $1 million to areas across south and central West Virginia that were most affected by the severe storms which began February 15 causing devastating floods, landslides, and mudslides.
The aftermath of the storms brought about widespread damage with flood-deposited debris blocking culverts and obstructing public areas, leaving many unusable.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA issued a major disaster declaration to bring assistance to Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Summers, Wayne and Wyoming counties.
The Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant will allow Workforce West Virginia provide people with temporary jobs focused on cleanup and recovery efforts, as well as offer employment and training services to eligible participants in those affected areas.
The grant is supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 and brings assistance to areas experiencing major economic dislocation from disastrous events like the mid-February floods.