Tornado Recovery Jobs

By HBTV
Thursday, August 18, 2011 | 10:08 AM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=853

MONTGOMERY – Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded grants totaling $340,809 to fund temporary jobs restoring areas damaged by the April 27 storms and providing other recovery assistance in Franklin, Marion and Sumter counties.

Temporary workers in Franklin and Marion counties will be hired with a $314,412 grant to the United Way of Northwest Alabama, and wages for workers in Sumter County will be paid from a $26,397 grant to the County Commission. Some of the employees will assist with the repair, renovation and reconstruction of damaged public facilities while others may work with shelters and food banks.

“The April 27 storms left a path of devastation that not only included lives and properties, but also jobs,” Bentley said. “This funding will help these communities with the rebuilding process and will provide needed income for Alabamians who lost employment when their workplaces were destroyed.”

First priority for employment will be given to workers whose employers are closed because of the tornadoes. Sumter County and the United Way of Northwest Alabama will work with Alabama Career Centers in their areas to determine eligibility and register temporary workers.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the funds from a National Emergency Grant secured from the U.S. Department of Labor.