US Department of Labor awards $1M to support employment, assistance, for Arkansas residents affected by severe storms, flooding

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $1 million in grant funding to Arkansas for cleanup and recovery activities after severe storms caused extensive damage and flooding in April. 

Between April 2-22, 2025, a strong weather system struck Arkansas, bringing severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding. The storm caused widespread devastation, destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents, causing utility outages, and disrupting critical public services throughout the state.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration on May 21, 2025, enabling Arkansas to request this funding. This award will assist with cleanup and recovery efforts in Dallas, Hempstead, Izard, Lafayette, Little River, Marion, Miller, Nevada, Pulaski, Searcy, and Sevier counties, and will be spread across four local workforce development areas. 

This Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant allows the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services to provide residents 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.