WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday a grant of $4,433,754, with an initial release of $1,477,077, to provide employment-related assistance to about 1,200 workers who lost jobs as a result of the closing of the Sara Lee Industries facility in West Point, Miss.
According to Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, the grant will provide the dislocated workers with skills training and other reemployment services to help them find new jobs in growing industries.
In January 2007, Sara Lee Industries announced that its West Point plant would be closed permanently as of March 30, 2007.
On February 20, Rapid Response activities were conducted to inform affected workers about assistance available through the public workforce investment system.
The grant, awarded to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, will provide assessments, and career and occupational skills training.