Former Jordan’s Meats workers to receive aid

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao has approved a $251,212 grant to assist 65 workers who lost their jobs as a result of Jordan’s Meats’ decision to close its Bangor facilities. The funds will cover career counseling and retraining as well as support services such as medical and child care.

The Maine Department of Labor will administer the grant, which will provide services for an estimated 65 of the 104 dislocated workers including career counseling, training, job-search assistance, placement services, resume development services, individual and group counseling, and other services to dislocated workers.

The funds also will be used to provide supportive services to dislocated workers including transportation, child and other dependent care, general and job-related clothing assistance, medical and health-related assistance, relocation and emergency shelter assistance, and other needs of an emergency nature.

“This money will be of great assistance to many of the Jordan’s Meats workers who suffered as a result of the company’s decision to close its Bangor plant,” said U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan M. Collins in a joint statement announcing the grant.

In a separate release, U.S. Rep. John Baldacci said the funding “will go a long way toward helping displaced workers obtain the training and support services needed to transition into new jobs and careers.”