News Release
Montana Receives $2.3 Million US Department of Labor Employment Grant
7/30/2003
Chuck Butler
406-444-5523
chbutler@state.mt.us
(HELENA) - Governor Judy Martz was personally notified by United States Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao that Montana has received a $2.3 million National Emergency Grant to provide re-employment and transition services for nearly 400 displaced workers in Flathead and Lincoln Counties.
"This assistance will be critical to the areas surrounding Kalispell and Libby," said Governor Martz. "I am confident these resources will help
ensure that qualified and hard working Montanans return to work with new and valuable skills. I thank the United States Department of Labor for recognizing this need and helping to strengthen Montana's economy."
The National Emergency Grant, made available by Displaced Workers Program of the Workforce Investment Act, has an initial award of $583,147 with further installments up to $2.3 million. The targeted workers are those affected by layoffs and closures at Semitool, Stream International in Kalispell; 4-B's Restaurant, ABC Daycare, Argus Security in Libby; and Great Northern Bank in Columbia Falls.
"I know the Montana Department of Labor and Industry will work successfully with business, local government, and the federal government to implement the grant," said Martz. "The programs provided to help train new nurses, teachers, cooks, clerical workers, and computer technicians will greatly enhance these Northwestern Montana communities."
During her conversation with Secretary Chao Governor Martz verified the status of a request being made by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry for training programs to assist the employees affected by the recent layoffs made by Touch America. Secretary Chao expressed to the Governor her Department's knowledge of those displaced employees and said she will look into the request from Montana.
This is the third award Montana has received in the past two years. In 2001 and 2003 a combined $3.8 million dollars has been used assist 530 workers affected by the restructuring of the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant.
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