Congressman Panetta Commends Department of Labor Disaster Recovery Funding For Wildfires

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, September 29 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced that the U.S. Department of Labor will award a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) of up to $6,877,500 to the California Department of Employment Development in response to the recent wildfires. The initial award of $3,438,750 will assist California in creating disaster-relief jobs to address debris cleanup and delivery of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the wildfires. Initially, the project will focus on efforts in, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Napa, San Mateo, Lake, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties. “The Central Coast and California as whole face the daunting challenge of recovering from devastating wildfires that continue to impact communities,” said Congressman Panetta. “This grant is a critical step forward so our communities can better focus on healing and moving forward from these crises. I commend the Department of Labor for awarding this grant so our Central Coast communities can get back on their feet and move forward.” Earlier this month, Congressman Panetta and his colleagues introduced the FEMA Assistance Relief Act to ease financial burdens local governments and communities face during natural disasters. As damage assessments are completed, work may expand to any of the California counties included in the associated major disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on August 22, 2020. California may request additional funding increments based on the project’s demonstrated need. Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses