Rep. Mike Thompson Announces Over $6 Million in Grant Funding to Help Create Clean-Up and Recovery Jobs in Tsunami-Stricken Communities

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor is awarding $6,498,100 in National Emergency Grant (NEG) funding to create temporary jobs in communities that were affected by the March tsunami waves. About 270 local residents will be employed on projects to assist with clean-up, demolition, repair, renovation, and reconstruction in Del Norte and Santa Cruz counties.

“Months after tsunami waves battered the North Coast, many communities are still recovering from the aftermath,” said Rep. Thompson. “The National Emergency Grant funding will help speed up the clean-up process at our ports and coastal areas and create temporary jobs in the process. I appreciate the support of the Department of Labor and hope this assistance will enable us to move forward as a community.”

Immediately following the tsunami, Rep. Thompson initiated a letter to President Obama urging him to provide California with federal disaster assistance. On April 18, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared Del Norte and Santa Cruz counties in California as eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program. These two counties were targeted to receive assistance under the NEG program, which provides funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events which cause significant job losses. NEGs generally provide resources to states and local workforce investment boards to quickly reemploy laid-off workers by offering training to increase occupational skills.