July 7, 2011
Additional $13.9 million investment in Disaster Recovery Jobs Program adds 35 counties as areas where temporary clean-up and recovery jobs will be created
Gov. Nixon announces 320 clean-up, humanitarian jobs in 35 southern counties damaged by severe flooding
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Disaster Recovery Jobs Program will put more than 320 residents of southern and southeastern Missouri to work on critical clean-up and humanitarian needs following devastating floods in 34 Missouri counties, Gov. Jay Nixon announced today. The program, which was established in June, provides temporary jobs for workers who were left unemployed after the severe floods and tornadoes that have affected Missouri this year.
Because of an additional investment of $13.9 million in federal Workforce Investment Act funding, the program will now hire 320 workers in 34 counties in southern and southeast Missouri impacted by this spring's severe flooding. Using an initial grant of $5.8 million and a portion of the additional funds announced today, the program also will employ more than 500 workers in Jasper and Newton counties, which were affected by the May 22 tornado in Joplin. Gov. Nixon announced the creation of the program on June 1 in Joplin.
Workers will perform such tasks removing debris; cleaning up and repairing visitors' centers; repairing playgrounds, fences and gates at state parks; and repairing hundreds of miles of damaged roads. Under the program, the first priority is to employ workers who lost their jobs because of weather-related disasters. Second priority goes to workers who are unemployed for other reasons.
"Our state was hit hard by devastating flooding and tornados this spring, but we are determined to rebuild our communities and help our neighbors recover," Gov. Nixon said. "Putting folks back to work is a crucial part of that process. This additional investment will help us employ an additional 320 persons who are temporarily out of work. I urge Missourians who are looking for work in one of the affected counties to contact their local career center today to learn more about this opportunity."
Counties receiving assistance under the additional funding include Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Christian, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, McDonald, Miller, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perry, Polk, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Washington, Wayne, Webster and Wright.
Prior to beginning work, each worker receives safety training and equipment through the program, as well as vaccinations or other preventive medical procedures necessary to work in the disaster area. Wages are commensurate with individual workers' job requirements and skills.
The Division of Workforce Development and the local Workforce Investment Boards in participating counties are overseeing the application, recruitment and placement process through local career centers.
For more information on the Disaster Recovery Jobs Program, visit MO.gov.