The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an incremental award of $600,000 to the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions. This funding aims to continue employment and training services for workers displaced by layoffs in 10 counties following a fire that led to the closure of QVC Rocky Mount Inc.’s distribution center in December 2021.
In March 2022, the department initially awarded a National Dislocated Worker Grant of up to $4 million, with an initial disbursement of $1,333,333. This grant was intended to assist nearly 2,000 laid-off workers across Beaufort, Bertie, Edgecombe, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pitt, and Wilson counties.
The incident is noted as one of the largest structure fires in North Carolina's history and had a significant impact on the region when layoffs commenced in February 2022. There are no plans to reopen the facility. The affected counties are considered distressed communities based on median household income, average unemployment rate, population growth percentage, and adjusted property tax base per capita.
The Employment and Training Administration oversees National Dislocated Worker Grants which provide state or local boards with funding for direct services and assistance during major economic dislocation events such as company layoffs. These grants are supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
The newly announced funding will continue supporting job search assistance and follow-up services for participants affected by the closure. With this latest increment, the total awarded for this project amounts to $1,933,333.
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