Washington, DC - Today the U.S. Department of Labor will be releasing the second increment of the three National Emergency Grants (NEGs) awarded to Michigan last September.  The second increment, $19,016,800, will be used to help more than 8,600 dislocated workers receive training in growing, high-demand industries in Michigan, including health care, technical consulting, solar manufacturing, among others.

“I am extremely pleased that the Department of Labor has released the second $19 million in NEGs to Michigan today.  Workers in Michigan are talented and dedicated to turning Michigan’s economy around, but they cannot do so without new opportunities.  This funding will help them receive the training they need to begin a new career in a new field,” Dingell said.

“With more than 120,000 displaced workers having participated in job training through No Worker Left Behind, it is clear the program has been wildly successful and is in high demand.  It is my sincere hope that the Department of Labor will continue to help Michigan build on this program’s success by ensuring the State has enough funding to complete training for those waitlisted and enrolled for 2011.” 

In total, the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth has received $38,033,600 in NEGs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  This funding was targeted to displaced workers from the automotive industry in three regions in Michigan.  The breakdown of funding is as follows:

 

• Southeast Michigan will receive $9,319,200 for reemployment services for more than 4,200 workers.  Counties to be served include: Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne.
• Mid-Michigan will receive $4,496,800 for reemployment services to more than 2,000 workers.  Counties to be served include: Bay, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Huron, Ingham, Lapeer, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, and Tuscola.
• West Michigan will receive $5,200,800 for reemployment services to more than 2,300 workers. Counties to be served  include: Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Kent, Muskegon, Oceana, Ottawa, and Van Buren.

Congressman Dingell has continually pressed for additional funding for No Worker Left Behind.  He recently joined with other Members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation to request increased funding in the FY2011 Budget for the Workforce Investment Act, which is the largest federal funding source for No Worker Left Behind.  For more information on this program, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb.