WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) today announced the approval of a $668,790 federal National Emergency Grant that will offer employment-related assistance to 131 workers in Klamath Falls who have lost jobs as a result of the closure of Klamath First Bank. $248,796 of that amount will be released initially, with the balance being distributed at a later date. Walden wrote to the U.S. Department of Labor on December 23, 2003, in support of the grant application submitted by the Klamath-Lake Employment Training Institute.

"This is outstanding news for the hard-working people who have lost jobs following the closure of Klamath First," said Walden. "With Oregon’s severe unemployment rate, federal investments like this are extremely valuable in helping get Oregonians back to work. Events like the closure of Klamath First Bank are devastating not only to the people who are most affected but to the entire community, and timely federal assistance can make all the difference in finding good-paying jobs for those who need them. No issue is more important to me than helping to secure jobs for the people of Oregon. The residents of Klamath County have proven themselves to be extremely resilient and will utilize these funds well. Their needs are compelling, and I was proud to help them in this matter."

The National Emergency Grant will provide local workers with employment-related assistance such as assessment, individual counseling, career planning, basic and remedial education, classroom training, job training, job development, relocation assistance, out-of-area job search assistance, on-the-job training and supportive services.

In his December 2003 letter to the Department of Labor, Walden wrote, "The Klamath Basin is still recovering from a devastating economic blow sustained in 2001 when the irrigation water was shut off to almost 200,000 acres of farmland. The direct impact of that event on the farmers and ancillary businesses is still being felt today. The layoff at Klamath First certainly compounds the damage already sustained. Klamath-Lake Employment Training Institute demonstrated in that time of crisis that it could effectively respond to a serious situation with professionalism and dispatch. I am confident that they will achieve significant results when this grant application is approved."

In November 2003, Walden helped secure a similar National Emergency Grant in the amount of $1.1 million to provide employment assistance to 151 workers in Klamath Falls who were affected by downsizing at Sykes Enterprises, Inc.

Congressman Walden represents the Second Congressional District of Oregon, which includes 20 counties in southern, central and eastern Oregon. He is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as well as the Committee on Resources.

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