The U.S. Department of Labor is releasing a $5 million NationalEmergency Grant increment to support temporary jobs following thecontinued cleanup and recovery efforts in New York because of thedamage caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in2011.

“While the communities of eastern New York have steadily workedto recover from and cleanup the widespread flooding and wind damagefrom these 2011 storms, the job is not yet done,” says Secretary ofLabor Hilda L. Solis. “The additional funds announced today reflectthe federal government’s continued commitment to supporting thesecommunities.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 28 New Yorkcounties impacted by Hurricane Irene eligible for FEMA’s PublicAssistance Program Aug. 31, 2011, which includes Albany, Bronx,Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Kings,Montgomery, Nassau, New York, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens,Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie,Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Washington and Westchester.Following the declaration, it was modified to nclude Franklin,Hamilton and Herkimer.

Another FEMA declaration was issued Sept. 13, 2011, for 14 NewYork counties impacted by the Tropical Storm Lee: Broome, Chemung,Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego,Schenectady, Schoharie, Tioga, Tompkins and Ulster.

Initially, a National Emergency Grant was awarded by the DOL tothe New York State Department of Labor Sept. 16, 2011, for up to$16,186,108 with $5,395,369 first being released. The most recentincrement brings the total amount awarded to date to $10,395,369.As New York demonstrates a continued need, additional funding up tothe amount approved will available.

National Emergency Grants are included in the secretary oflabor’s discretionary fund and are distributed based on a state’sability to meet certain guidelines.