The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded an additional $2 million to support North Carolina workers affected by Pactiv Evergreen's mill closures.
The funds will support employment and training services across 11 counties.
This allocation supplements a previous $2.5 million grant, bringing the total to $4.5 million. The funding is part of a potential $7.5 million National Dislocated Worker Grant intended to address the economic impact of the Canton paper mill closure and reductions at the Waynesville facility.
Administered through the Employment and Training Administration, the grant will assist workers in Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Swain, and Transylvania counties.
"This funding will ensure impacted workers have uninterrupted access to needed resources, including employment and training services," stated a Department of Labor release.
The grants, authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, help states and local boards provide assistance during major economic dislocations.
