The U.S. Department of Labor has allocated an additional $2 million to support North Carolina workers affected by the shutdown of Pactiv Evergreen's paper mill in Canton and cuts at its Waynesville location. This funding will provide continuous access to essential resources, including employment and training services, for those impacted.
The Department's Employment and Training Administration initially announced a National Dislocated Worker Grant of up to $7.5 million in June 2023, beginning with an allocation of $2.5 million. This financial support allows North Carolina to offer retraining, skill development, and job search help to dislocated workers across Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Swain, and Transylvania counties. With the new funding, the project's total financial backing has reached $4.5 million.
The National Dislocated Worker Grants are backed by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. These grants provide financial aid to state or local boards facing significant economic dislocations, ensuring assistance where workforce needs exceed available resources.
