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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President


For Immediate Release July 2, 1999
            VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES $3.3 MILLION GRANT
               TO HELP FISHING INDUSTRY WORKERS IN MAINE
                     AND NEW HAMPSHIRE GET NEW JOBS

     Washington, DC -- Vice President Gore announced today a $3.3

million grant to help workers who have lost jobs in Maine and New Hampshire's fishing industry find new employment.

"Efforts to preserve fishing areas off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire have made it necessary for many workers in this industry to find alternative employment," Vice President Gore said. "This project will ensure that resources are in place to help more than 350 vessel owners and their family members, gillnetters, deckhands and seafood processors."

"Losing a job is stressful for the workers, their families and the community," US Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman said. "The re-employment services available through these grants will get the workers back into the labor market as soon as possible."

The grant, provided by the Department of Labor, will be operated by The Training Resource Center, Portland, Me., Workforce Development Center, Augusta, Me. and Training & Development Corporation, Bangor, Me.

More than $1.1 million will be disbursed for immediate use and will assist approximately 357 fishing industry workers and eligible family members in the Maine counties of Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington and York, and Rockingham County in New Hampshire.

The dislocated worker program is funded under the Job Training Partnership Act for workers who lose jobs because of technological changes, foreign competition or government action. Generally, workers are eligible if they are unlikely to return to their previous industry or occupation.

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