State awards $6M supporting at-risk businesses

The Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) recently made $6 million available in Statewide Layoff Aversion Program funding to support at-risk businesses.

Funding can be used for Rapid Response Services or to attract buyers that would maintain a workforce.

Pennsylvania provides Rapid Response Services to assist businesses affected by a permanent closure, mass layoff, or natural or other disaster resulting in mass job dislocation. Services include early intervention and re-employment services for employees.

Job retention resources help potentially dislocated workers quickly find employment while preventing loss of wages and economic uncertainty.

“When workers lose jobs with family-sustaining pay and benefits, it can destabilize entire communities,” L&I Acting Secretary Nancy Walker said. “Rapid Response Services are critical to minimizing the impacts of mass layoffs and closures so that Pennsylvania communities and families have a real opportunity to rebound. Likewise, with this grant funding, L&I will prioritize early intervention services aimed at preventing layoffs whenever possible.”

Eligible applicants include organizations with the experience and expertise in developing and using Pennsylvania’s workforce development system to prevent layoffs and help at-risk businesses. Applicants also must meet a list of criteria.

The application deadline is April 3.

Rapid Response Services are provided under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.