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MichaudAnnounces Help for Workers Affectedby Layoffs at General ElectricSecurity in Pittsfield

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Mike Michaud announced that the U.S. Department of Labor is awarding a $372,839 National Emergency Grant (NEG) to Maine to assist workers affected by layoffs at General Electric Security, Inc., located in Pittsfield.

"National Emergency Grants are a vital lifeline to the people of Maine andthe release of this funding is very welcome news. These are tougheconomic times and this funding will help provide additional assistance to theworkers who have been impacted by this layoff," said Michaud.

This NEG is funded by resources made available under the American Recoveryand Reinvestment Act (H.R.1). The NEG will be awarded to the MaineDepartment of Labor and will be administered by the Central/Western MaineWorkforce Investment Board.

"I stand ready to help these laid off workers in anyway that I can.Nationally, we must refocus our efforts and pass policies that are good for theAmerican worker rather than ones that promote shipping industries and jobsoverseas."

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, National Emergency Grants arediscretionary awards by the Secretary of Labor that temporarily expand servicecapacity at the state and local levels through time-limited funding assistancein response to significant dislocation events. Significant events arethose that create a sudden need for assistance that cannot reasonably beexpected to be accommodated within the ongoing operations of the formula-fundedDislocated Worker program, including the discretionary resources reserved atthe state level.

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