Voinovich helped to secure $4M in grants to assist workers affected by layoffs

The office of U.S. Sen. George Voinovich (R-Cleveland) announced today that Ohio's senior senator has helped secure nearly $4 million in grant funds to assist workers affected by layoffs within the Wilmington Air Park at DHL Express, ABX Air, Inc., and ACS Business Process Solutions.

Earlier in November, DHL's German parent company said it would cut 9,500 jobs in the United States as well as eliminate shipping within the U.S. by land and air, but DHL spokespeople are saying the air cargo hub in Wilmington will continue to operate for now. 

However, DHL is still planning on a deal with UPS that would compromise the Wilmington hub and could result in the loss of around 8,000 jobs. DHL says it expects a decision with regard to the UPS deal by the end of the year.

At the time, Voinovich said his office would be, "tireless in their efforts to ensure that state and local governments have the full federal resources needed to cope with this economic disaster." 

 The Department of Labor announced Thursday a $3,877,672 National Emergency Grant to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which Voinovich wrote a letter of support for along with the Ohio delegation. Voinovich also lobbied the administration on behalf of the affected communities.

 "This funding speaks to the fact that the federal government realizes that thousands of hard-working individuals and families in Southwest Ohio are facing a crisis of uncertainty about their future," Voinovich said. "My staff has been facilitating communication between the state and federal government and we are very thankful for today's grant announcement, but our work will not stop here." 

Voinovich said his office would continue to be tireless in their efforts to ensure that state and local governments, "have the full federal resources needed to cope with one of the worst economic dislocations that we've faced as a nation."

Geographic areas covered by this grant include the counties of Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fairfield, Fayette, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Montgomery, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scotio and Warren.