Grant provides nearly $630,000 for training, support services

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today announced that the Maine Department of Labor will be getting an emergency grant of nearly $630,000 to help the 87 workers who lost their jobs when Wood Structures in Biddeford and Saco closed last month. 

The National Emergency Grant is for $627,961 and can be used for training, support services and counseling for displaced workers.  The program allows for the hiring of “peer support workers”—workers who lost their jobs when Wood Structures closed can be hired to help counsel and train other laid off workers.

“The closing of Wood Structures was a blow to an area that has already had more than its share of bad economic news,” Pingree said.  “But there is tremendous potential in this area and I know that there are better times ahead.  This federal money is a good start and will help some of those workers find new jobs and get training for new careers.   But it’s not enough, which is why I am working every day to help get our economy back on track—creating new jobs and preserving existing jobs.”

Richard Fifield, Manager of the York County Career Center in Spingvale, said the federal grant is extremely important.   “It’s going to provide the individuals that are laid off with new skills so they can get back into the workforce,” Fifield said.