McConnell Helps Secure Funding to Assist Laid Off Coal Miners

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell commented today regarding the Department of Labor’s $11 million competitive grant awarded to the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP).

Senator McConnell, who contacted Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez on behalf of the EKCEP’s competitive grant application, said: “Our coal miners, particularly in eastern Kentucky, have suffered enormously over the last several years, the result of which has been the loss of thousands of high-wage jobs in a region facing serious economic challenges. EKECP, under the leadership of Jeff Whitehead, will use this critical funding to continue providing essential re-employment services, including for emerging information technology and advanced manufacturing jobs, to my constituents in the region who have lost jobs and businesses as a result of the decline in the coal industry.”

Jeff Whitehead, Executive Director of EKCEP, said: “A lot of work has gone into assisting Eastern Kentucky’s miners and their families, but there remains much more to do to ensure continued access to critical services that can help them get back on their feet and into new employment. This award will ensure that EKCEP and our community partners are able to help these men and women discover and develop the skills needed to enter a new career path. We thank the Department of Labor for continuing to support Eastern Kentucky’s workforce, and we are very appreciative of Sen. McConnell for his assistance in securing this much needed round of funding.”