WASHINGTON, January 14 (Sputnik) — Atlantic City, New Jersey will be provided with over $29 million aid to support its workforce after the local casinos closures, according to the press release, posted on US Senator Bob Menendez’s website Tuesday.
“New Jersey members of Congress…today announced the awarding of up to $29.4 million in National Emergency Grant (NEG) funds to New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development to benefit the Atlantic City casino workers impacted by the casino closings,” the press release said.
Last year, unable to withstand competition with the neighboring states, three major Atlantic City casinos: the Revel, Showboat and Trump Plaza, as well as other smaller businesses were forced to shut down, leaving over 6,500 New Jersey residents without work. In December several US congressmen sent a letter to US Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez asking to support the Atlantic City Re-Employment Initiative.
“I am pleased that the Obama Administration recognized the growing need for assistance in Atlantic City and answered our call for help,” Menendez was quoted as saying in the release.
Menendez added that Atlantic City NEG funds will be utilized for “skills training, job placement and increased employment opportunity” to those, who recently lost their jobs due to casinos closures.
“This is another important step towards Atlantic City's comeback,” US Senator Cory Booker was quoted as saying in the press release.
Previous NEG grants awarded to New Jersey include a $15.5 million grant in 2013, following Hurricane Sandy and a $2.5 million grant in 2010 to support 960 New Jersey workers who were laid off by pharmaceutical companies.
