US Department of Labor awards $1M for disaster-relief jobs, training for West Virginia residents affected by February Storms

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $1 million in grant funding to support disaster-relief jobs and employment and training services for West Virginia residents suffering from the aftermath of February severe storms. 

Beginning Feb. 15, 2025, severe storms caused floods, landslides, and mudslides, resulting in widespread damage across south and central West Virginia.  Homes, businesses, roadways, parks, and other public areas were impacted, with flood-deposited debris blocking culverts and obstructing public areas making many of them unusable and unsafe.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration, enabling West Virginia to request federal assistance for recovery efforts in Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming counties.

This Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant allows the Workforce West Virginia to provide people with temporary jobs focused on cleanup and recovery efforts, as well as offer employment and training services to eligible participants in affected communities. 

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.