10/25/2007 GAAS:861:07 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Additional Federal Funds to Assist Fire Victims in Recovery
Governor Schwarzenegger announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has approved California’s request for a $50 million grant that will help hire over 3,000 workers in temporary disaster assistance jobs in the areas affected by the wildfires.
“This is a win-win grant that will help our communities recover from this disaster and also provide hard-working Californians with jobs,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “These funds mean a new start for thousands of Californians who are reestablishing their families, businesses and lives in the wake of wildfires that devastated so much of our state.”
The $50 million National Emergency Grant was approved today, with $16.7 million released initially. These funds will create up to 3,125 temporary jobs in the sectors that are assisting in cleanup and rebuilding, local emergency transportation services and humanitarian purposes in areas affected by the fires.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor to the California Employment Development Department, and will provide immediate assistance to the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura, the areas most affected by the wildfires.
Earlier this week, Governor Schwarzenegger sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao advising that the state of California intended to apply for National Emergency Grant funds for the Southern California wildfires disaster.
Also earlier this week, following a letter the Governor sent to President Bush, the President announced a Major Disaster Declaration. The declaration will give assistance to individuals, families and businesses such as low interest loans from the Small Business Administration, grants for temporary housing, home repairs and disaster unemployment assistance. The declaration also includes funding for restoring damaged or replacing destroyed governmental infrastructure, such as roads, utilities and essential public buildings. It also includes reimbursement for a significant amount of emergency response costs and debris removal.
