Grant sought to help laid-off millworkers

JAY – Maine’s congressional delegation is seeking an emergency grant from the federal government to give help to about 150 workers laid off from the Wausau paper mill in Jay.

U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, along with U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, said they submitted letters to U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao in support of a $307,315 grant to be used for re-employment services.

Wausau announced in August that it was shutting down one of its paper machines by the end of the year, putting about 150 of its 235 workers out of a job.

Another petition was submitted to the labor department last month.

It sought additional unemployment benefits and training and educational opportunities for the laid-off workers.