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Home - Local News Sports Obituaries Editorial Social Archives |
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Local News - April 2002 |
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Grant to help jobless By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer April 29, 2002 - Laid-off workers in Lincoln County are finding out that losing their jobs isn’t the end of the road. Lincoln County will soon be awarded its share of a $1.45 million grant, designated to help retrain dislocated workers. The money comes from the National Emergency Grant Program, which is under the Workforce Investment Act. NEG funds help areas that are hard-hit by dislocation events, such as mass layoffs and plant closures. Lincoln qualified because it was hurt by factory closings in the past year. In order to receive a grant, a county’s regional council of government must apply to the U.S. Department of Labor. Lincoln County is part of the Centralina Council of Government. Anson, Cabarrus, Stanly, Iredell, Rowan and Union are also a part of Centralina. Also included in the application were Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Warren, Montgomery and Richmond, said David Hollars, director of the Workforce Development Board of Centralina. Nine other Western North Carolina counties, including Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, McDowell, Polk and Rutherford, recently received a $1.2 million grant. Centralina determines how the $1.45 million is divvied up among the counties. Hollars said the program is very important. “This is the best way to do it,” he said. “Put a little money out there and get (laid-off workers) back to work.” Hollars said Centralina applied for the grant March 27, and officially received it April 3. Hollars was pleased with the time between application and receipt, describing it as a “land speed record.” He credited congressmen and their staffs for the speedy response. Judy Martin, assistant manager of the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina for Lincoln County said the program has been successful. Grants like this are awarded each year, she said. The amount varies depending on need. “It gives people some hope,” she said. Vickie Andrews, WIA coordinator for the ESC, praises the program and its successes. Andrews said there are currently around 150 people in school on the program, and each week 5 to 6 people come in and apply. “We’re continuing to enroll, enroll, enroll,” she said. Andrews said the ESC works with all the community colleges in the area, as well as truck driving schools and other more job-specific schools. “Whatever occupation you can think of, I’ve had people in those programs,” she said. In order to take advantage of the opportunity, people must first go to the ESC and express interest. ESC employees will let them know if they qualify and what services are available. People who are laid off are not the only ones who can benefit. Martin said the ESC can also help other people who qualify financially or fit into certain groups. Benefits are available for those who qualify for two years. “Most, especially those who are completing their programs, are going to work right away,” Andrews said. “Once they make a commitment, they do very well.” Martin said this program sometimes makes dislocated workers realize a positive aspect to a layoff. “It helps people carry on even though it’s a bad time in their life,” Martin said. Andrews said she estimates that hundreds of people have benefited from the program in the past year. “We feel like it’s a huge thing,” she said. “In the end, there’s nothing not positive about it.”
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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