Congresswoman Doris Matsui Applauds Award of $2.5 Million in Joint Federal and State Funding for SETA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

CONTACT: Mara Lee

202-225-7163

Congresswoman Doris Matsui Applauds Award of $2.5 Million in Joint Federal and State Funding for SETA
Sacramento Program Receives Funding for 576 Local Displaced and Unemployed Workers

CA - Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05) applauded the awarding of more than $2.4 million to the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) through competitive grants to train unemployed and displaced workers in green building and alternative and renewable fuels programs. The funding was made possible by joint funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and California's Clean Energy Workforce Training Program.

SETA applied for three separate competitive grants and was awarded $2,466,492 in total. This funding will go to training and pre-apprenticeship programs that will help 576 displaced and unemployed workers in our community gain skills and experience in green construction and building retrofits, and hybrid and alternative fuel vehicle maintenance and retrofits.

"This is the time we need to invest in our community and help displaced workers train and re-train for jobs in growing industries," said Congresswoman Matsui. "This money is a part of our plan to stem job losses, rebuild our economic base, and develop a clean energy workforce in the Sacramento region."

"These awards will address our need for skilled workers in industries related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and alternative transportation technology. This funding will create a workforce that will attract and grow clean energy companies in the region," said Robin Purdy, SETA Deputy Director. "SETA is pleased to represent the powerful regional collaborative that developed these innovative clean energy workforce training programs."

In August, the Employment Development Department, California Energy Commission and the California Workforce Investment Board announced the availability of $23 million in funds for the California Clean Energy Workforce Training Program. This collaborative effort combined American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding from the State Energy Program, Workforce Investment Act, Governor's Discretionary 15 Percent funds, and Assembly Bill 118 Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program funds.

"Job creation and retention is paramount in helping to secure California's economic future," said Congresswoman Matsui. "This is federal and state money at work - by helping to put 576 more Sacramentans back to work."

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