In response to the planned closure, Congressman Richmond and Senator Mary Landrieu wrote Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in March, urging him to take action to ease the economic ramifications and job losses. “The long-term economic impact of the loss of these jobs goes far beyond the immediate impact on these workers’ families,” Richmond and Landrieu wrote Locke. “It will undoubtedly extend deep into the Gulf Coast communities that have yet to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the recent economic downturn, and last year’s BP oil spill.”
In the grant award letter, OEA Director Patrick J. O’Brien wrote: “I am pleased to inform you that OEA has approved a grant of $1,485,000 in community adjustment assistance to the State of Louisiana in response to the major reduction in defense industry employment in the Avondale region.” This grant is the largest Department of Commerce grant ever awarded for a Defense Department project.
As part of further efforts, Representative Richmond met with local small businesses and workers on March 17, to listen to their concerns. They represent a group of 400 citizens negatively affected by the planned closure who wrote to President Obama urging him to respond.
In the grant award letter, OEA Director Patrick J. O’Brien wrote: “I am pleased to inform you that OEA has approved a grant of $1,485,000 in community adjustment assistance to the State of Louisiana in response to the major reduction in defense industry employment in the Avondale region.” This grant is the largest Department of Commerce grant ever awarded for a Defense Department project.
As part of further efforts, Representative Richmond met with local small businesses and workers on March 17, to listen to their concerns. They represent a group of 400 citizens negatively affected by the planned closure who wrote to President Obama urging him to respond.