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Nicole Gaudiano, USA TODAY 1:40 p.m. EST January 13, 2015

This July 11, 2014, aerial photo shows casinos along the Atlantic City beachfront.(Photo: File)

Story Highlights

• Atlantic City will receive up to $30 million in federal money to help workers who lost their jobs.
• As many as 4,000 jobs were lost as a result of the closures of several casinos.
• A National Emergency Grant will fund employer-driven training programs.
• More than $13 million will be released today, with an additional $29.4 million available.

WASHINGTON – Atlantic City will receive up to $30 million in federal money to help workers who lost their jobs when several casinos closed, the Labor Department announced Tuesday.

Thousands of jobs were lost as a result of the closures of the Revel Casino Hotel, Trump Plaza, the Showboat Hotel and Casino and 40 other businesses, according to Labor officials. The state’s grant application says the three closures displaced 6,578 workers, based on Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notices from those casinos.

A National Emergency Grant will fund employer-driven training programs and help affected workers learn new skills for re-employment in new and emerging job sectors. More than $13 million will be released today, with additional funding up to $29.4 million available as the state demonstrates continued need, according to the Labor Department.

“The Atlantic City economy was dealt a staggering blow with the closure of these casinos,” U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez said. “For the thousands of workers who lost their jobs as a result, we are committed to providing the resources, support and training they need to get back on their feet.”

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., called the grant “another important step towards Atlantic City’s comeback.”

“This National Emergency Grant is focused on the workers and will be utilized to increase occupational skills and to get those impacted by the casino closing back to work,” Booker said.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said the grant will provide resources for “skills training, job placement and increased employment opportunity to the thousands who recently lost their jobs.”

U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., said the grant is “welcome news” for Atlantic City workers because a readily available workforce is a key consideration for any business looking to open or expand operations.

“As we work in partnership to bring new economic opportunities to the region, this federal funding will ensure residents will be properly trained and prepared to step into those jobs,” LoBiondo said.

The grant, which will go to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, will be operated by the Atlantic Cape May Workforce Investment Board and the Cumberland Salem Workforce Investment Board, which will provide the re-employment services to the affected workers.

National Emergency Grants are part of the labor secretary’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. Past grants to New Jersey include $15.5 million awarded in 2013 following Hurricane Sandy and $2.5 million in 2010 to allow the Labor Department to continue employment-related services for about 960 workers affected by layoffs from pharmaceutical companies in northern New Jersey, according to Booker and Menendez.

Nicole Gaudiano: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; @ngaudiano

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