Governor Martz Announces $1.5 Million Employment Grant for Touch America Employees

Governor Judy Martz’s request for funds to assist dislocated
Touch America employees has been accepted by the office of United States
Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. The Martz Administration today learned that
Montana will receive a $1.5 million National Emergency Grant to provide
re-employment and transition services for approximately 247 workers
dislocated from Touch America in Butte and Missoula.

"This assistance will be critical to the areas surrounding Butte and
Missoula," said Governor Martz. "I am so pleased that the Department of
Labor has responded favorably to our request. I am confident these resources
will help ensure that qualified and hard working Montanans return to work
with new and valuable skills. I thank the United States Department of Labor
for
recognizing this need and helping to strengthen Montana’s economy."

The National Emergency Grant, made available by Displaced Workers Program of
the Workforce Investment Act, has an initial award of $385,865 with further
installments up to $1.5 million. Governor Martz and her administration made
the request for assistance for Touch America employees earlier this summer.

"I know the Montana Department of Labor and Industry will work successfully
with business, local government, and the federal government to implement the
grant," said Martz. "These programs will help provide much needed support
to these Western Montana communities affected by Touch America."

This is the fourth award Montana has received in the past two years. Most
recently the Department of Labor assisted dislocated workers in Flathead and
Lincoln Counties.

Kris Goss

Education Policy Advisor/Deputy Communications Director

Office of the Governor

State Capitol

Helena, MT 59620

(406) 444-3862

[email protected]