Missouri, USA: Governor Nixon announces additional funding for Disaster Recovery Jobs Program
Jefferson city - Gov. Jay Nixon today announced an investment of $16.5 million in federal National Emergency Grant (NEG) funding to create temporary jobs for workers in 29 Missouri counties affected by tornadoes, floods and severe storms last year. Using these funds, the Missouri Disaster Recovery Jobs Program will create 1,347 additional temporary jobs to assist with the ongoing clean-up efforts, as well as to provide workforce development services to those participants in need of reemployment assistance following the completion of their temporary jobs.
"Our state was hit hard by horrific tornados, severe storms and devastating flooding in the past year, but we remain determined to rebuild and bring damaged communities back to normal," Gov. Nixon said. "Putting folks back to work is a crucial part of that process. This additional investment will significantly expand our Disaster Recovery Jobs Program in the affected counties, making it possible to employ additional Missourians who are temporarily out of work. I urge Missourians in those counties who are looking for work to contact their local career centers today to learn more about this opportunity."
The Governor announced the creation of the jobs program in Joplin last June. Initially, the program authorized $5.8 million in federal funding to hire 404 workers in temporary jobs to assist with clean-up and humanitarian efforts in Jasper and Newton counties following the tornado. At the end of June, the program received an additional $13.9 million to continue assistance to Joplin, and to create another 446 temporary jobs for eligible dislocated workers to assist with the clean-up and recovery efforts in 35 additional counties that were added to the project.
The jobs created under this program will focus on clean-up and humanitarian efforts, such as clearing and removing debris, and public land and facility restoration. The program will provide job and safety training and equipment for each worker, in addition to vaccinations necessary to work in the disaster area. Wages will be commensurate with entry-level pay at the worksite.
The 29 Counties included in this latest round of funding are Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Madison, Miller, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Polk, Reynolds, St. Francois, Scott, Shannon, St. Louis, Stoddard, Taney, Texas, Washington, Wayne, Webster and Wright.