July 7, 2011
Additional $13.9 million investment will bring total of temporary cleanup and recovery jobs under the program to more than 500 in Joplin
Gov. Nixon announces expansion of Missouri Disaster Recovery Jobs Program; initiative will add an additional 130 clean-up, humanitarian jobs in Joplin
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon today announced an expansion of the Missouri Disaster Recovery Jobs Program, which he established to create temporary jobs for workers who were left unemployed after the devastating May 22 Joplin tornado. Because of an additional investment of $13.9 million in federal Workforce Investment Act funding, the program will add another 130 workers to address Joplin's critical clean-up and humanitarian needs.
The Governor announced the creation of the Missouri Disaster Recovery Jobs Program in a news conference in Joplin on June 1. Initially, the program authorized $5.8 million in federal funding to hire 400 workers in Jasper and Newton counties following the tornado.
This expansion will employ an additional 130 workers in a variety of projects, bringing the total number of jobs available in Joplin to more than 500. Workers will perform such tasks as removing debris in the cities of Joplin and Duquesne; removing debris and performing repairs at area parks; staffing the Salvation Army distribution center; and providing child care for tornado victims. 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.
"Joplin was hit hard by this devastating tornado, and we are committed to rebuilding this community and helping our neighbors recover," Gov. Nixon said. "Putting folks back to work is a crucial part of that process. This additional investment will significantly expand our Disaster Recovery Jobs Program in Joplin, making it possible to employ an additional 130 persons who are temporarily out of work. I urge Missourians who are looking for work to contact the Joplin Career Center today to learn more about this opportunity."
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 Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Missouri are overseeing the application, recruitment and placement process through the Joplin Career Center.
In addition to expanding the Disaster Recovery Jobs Program in Joplin, the additional funding of $13.9 million in Workforce Investment Act funds is also being utilized to create 320 temporary recovery jobs in 34 southern Missouri counties severely impacted by flooding this spring.
For more information on the Disaster Recovery Jobs Program, visit MO.gov.