WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a $1,246,750 grant for the state of New York to create approximately 150 temporary jobs to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts following damage caused by severe snow storms and flooding.

“There is still work to be done in western New York to help areas recover from damage caused by severe snowstorms and flooding,” said Secretary Chao. “This $1.2 million grant will put New Yorkers to work assisting their communities and will provide other helpful services to residents.”

On Oct. 24, 2006, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared the counties of Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Orleans as eligible for its public assistance program.

The temporary jobs will be targeted for workers dislocated as a result of the snowstorms and flooding, other dislocated workers, and the long-term unemployed. Jobs will include clearing debris from public and non-profit-owned property, and funds may be used to perform work on the homes of economically disadvantaged individuals who qualify for the federally funded weatherization program.

In addition to the creation of temporary jobs, the grant, awarded to the New York State Department of Labor, also may be used for workforce development services for participants who need assistance to return to employment.

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 on this and other U.S. Labor Department employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov/NEG/.