WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today announced an increase in National Emergency Grant (NEG) funding to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment and Training in the amount of $375,200.  The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) awarded the additional grant funds to aid in continuing temporary jobs for dislocated workers assisting with clean-up and recovery efforts from Hurricane Irene.

“These funds are essential not only to the rebuilding process, but also in providing jobs for those affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Irene,” Butterfield said.  “I am pleased that the Obama Administration and the Department of Labor recognizes the enormity of the recovery process and continue to supply funds to aid in our progress.”

The NEG was approved September 2011 for up to $2 million with $750,000 initially being released.  The funding was subsequent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declaring 37 North Carolina counties eligible for emergency assistance after the hurricane in August 2011.  Thus far, the grant has created 200 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers assisting with clean-up and recovery.  The increase in funding will bring total NEG funds for the project to $1,125,200.

Affected counties within Butterfield’s congressional district to receive additional grant funds include: Beaufort, Bertie, Chowan, Craven, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Washington, and Wayne.

Last year, Congressman Butterfield led the House Hurricane Irene Coalition in urging House Leadership to immediately pass disaster assistance and ensure FEMA had the funds it needed to pay for recovery efforts in all thirteen states affected by Hurricane Irene.  The estimated total cost of the damage caused by the storm is $1.5 billion.

###