Funds amounting to $153 million in job training and employment services will be allocated to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) announced in a March 15 news release.
The $153 million is a part of $1.8 billion in federal funding released to Ohio through the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Brown said he wanted this funding because Ohio's unemployment rate is above the national average.
"These funds are an investment in Ohio workers," Brown said in the news release. "Too many Ohioans have seen their jobs shipped overseas due to wrong-headed economic policies. These funds will prepare Ohio workers for jobs of the 21st century and connect dislocated workers with new employment opportunities."
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio reached an 8.8 percent unemployment rate in January, its highest rate in more than 20 years. Butler County, as of January, had an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent.
"The $153 million fund is predicted to help and retain 200,000 job in Ohio," said Kristin Vennekotter, spokesperson for Sen. Brown.
According to Vennekotter, the ODJFS will be allocating the money through a formula that will determine the distribution of specific amounts of the money to private and public organizations.
Vennekotter said private companies may apply for parts of the funds through a grant or receive them directly from federal agencies.
The ODJFS will distribute the funds for non-profit organizations through labor exchange and one-stop centers, Vennekotter said. One-stop centers offer job training skills such as computer and resume building skills to unemployed workers looking for jobs.
"The ODJFS has 30 days to distribute (the money) to the local level (once they receive it)," said Don Kell, job center manager for WorkForce One of Butler County.
The ODJFS is expecting the funds by April, Kell said. Recipients of the parts of the $153 million will be required to start reporting on how they specifically plan to use the money July 15. Kell said the money doesn't need to be fully spent, however, until 2011.
"(Officials) want (the) local level to spend the money as soon as possible-the vast majority by this summer," Kell said.
Kell said $56 million of the funds will go directly to job training services for youth and young adults.
"(The $56 million) will create lots of jobs for younger people, which will supplement adults and those who are dislocated," Kell said.
However, the exact amount of money Butler County will be receiving through these funds is still unknown.
"The numbers are all preliminary," Kell said. "Normally, out of the three counties (which make up Area 12), Butler, Warren and Clermont, Butler County receives half (of the funds to Area 12) because of its size."
