The State of Florida has been awarded a further $3,750,000 in recovery funding to rebuild after Hurricane Ian.
The continued investment from the Department of Labor hopes to offer disaster-relief employment and on-the-job training to eligible Florida residents. The heavy lifting and restructuring after a vicious act of nature can be a struggle, so this ready investment will help heal the commercial wounds in the region affected by the storm.
Disaster relief funding continues to help rebuild Florida’s workforce
In September of 2022, the hurricane left a trail of wreckage and disaster on the southwest coast of the Sunshine State. Mass flooding, dangerously high winds, and storm surges wracked the area, leaving many with damaged homes and businesses.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the office of President Biden announced that Floridians hit by the hurricane could apply for disaster relief. Covering Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota.
FEMA said at that time, “Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.”
Funding continues the temporary workforce
While this round of funding is less than the $15 million allocated for disaster relief employment in 2022, it is a promising investment that will significantly bolster Florida’s labor market. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity had used the original award to adhere to Hurricane Ian’s damage.
At that time, the Employment and Training Administration, part of the Department of Labor, had allocated this funding for specific tasks to tackle the remnants of the force of nature. This money was earmarked for debris removal, water damage cleanup, and humanitarian assistance to people in areas struck by the storm.
This was followed up by a $7.5 million award in October 2023. This grant would continue the work the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity had created to battle back from the category 4 weather event.
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