Arkansas will receive a National Emergency Grant of $1,054,112 from the US Department of Labor, according to a news release put out today.
This money will be used to assist The Natural State with cleanup and recovery efforts after the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that struck between May 30 and June 3.
“The destruction caused by this severe storm affected communities across Arkansas,” said Eric Seleznow, acting assistant secretary of labor for employment and training.
Seleznow continued, “There is a great deal of recovery work to be done, and the Labor Department is committed to helping Arkansans rebuild their communities.”
The grant was awarded to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services to restore public lands and infrastructure by providing temporary work to those in need of employment.
Funds from the grant will be used to assist with demolition, cleaning up, repair, renovation, and reconstruction of destroyed public facilities and lands in affected communities, as well as humanitarian assistance, according to the news release.
$351,371 of the $1,054,112 total grant will be released initially. Additional funding, up to the total amount, will be made available to the state as it demonstrates a continued need for aid.
“On June 25, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 11 counties eligible for FEMA’s public assistance program. The state plans to target Cleburne, Independence, Polk, Scott, Searcy, Stone, Van Buren and Woodruff for assistance under this grant. Additional counties may be included at a later date if further evaluation warrants their inclusion,” the release stated.
National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines.
