U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced a National Emergency Grant of up to $50 million—with an initial release of $16,500,000—to hire approximately 3,630 workers to help Florida recover from Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie. Secretary Chao is in Florida today surveying the impacted areas.

"This Administration is dedicated to helping Florida recover from these natural disasters," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "This grant of up to $50 million will aid with disaster clean-up and provide temporary jobs for workers who can help restore and rebuild the communities in Florida that have been impacted by the storms."

The grant was awarded to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation and will provide temporary employment to dislocated workers to assist in the cleanup and recovery efforts as a result of the damage created by Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie. In addition to temporary employment, assistance will include supportive services such as transportation, access to work-related equipment and uniforms, and childcare. The funding will also cover work performed on the homes of economically disadvantaged individuals, with priority given to services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.