Nevada to get federal funds to help displaced workers

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 | 10:10 a.m.

Southern Nevada will receive up to $4.8 million through a National Emergency Grant to assist workers who lost their jobs after Sept. 11.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao announced Wednesday the grant will help more than 2,450 laid-off workers and would be funneled through the Southern Nevada Workplace Investment Board.

The funding is on top of $1.75 million awarded the city by the Labor Department to help displaced workers. Initally, the city will receive a portion of the money -- $1.9 million.

Richard Blue, board manager for the Southern Nevada Work Place Investment Board, said the state applied for the grant after Sept. 11 in hopes of helping displaced workers.

"It would help persons to get stabilized in terms of life issues, such as housing and utility bills, which would give them an opportunity for employment training," Blue said.

Blue said the board will distribute the funding through partnerships, such as with the Community College of Southern Nevada, Nevada Partners, Nevada Business Services and West-Care.

The money will be distributed in Clark, Nye, Lincoln and Esmerelda counties, as well as Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City.

Betsy Fretwell, assistant city manager in Las Vegas, said there is a tremendous amount of need in the community and the additional funding will help those who are struggling since Sept. 11.

"This is the best way to optimize the use of these funds," she said. "We look forward to ... leveraging all of these funds to help people in the ways they need it."