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Employ Prince George’s has received a $175,000 grant from Maryland Department of Labor for the COVID-19 Workforce Development Recovery Program to strengthen and revitalize Prince George’s County’s workforce after significant job losses and business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This could be the initial installment of funds as the Maryland Department of Labor could receive additional federal funding due to Maryland’s severe economic impacts from COVID-19.
“We are in unprecedented times, including times of great economic uncertainty. Employ Prince George’s goal is to ensure that we continue to be the bridge between job seekers and businesses, no matter the circumstance,” said Employ Prince George’s President/CEO Walter Simmons. “During the months that we face ahead, ensuring that we are supporting and growing the economic vitality of our Prince George’s County community is our main priority.”
With these funds, Employ Prince George’s COVID-19 Workforce Development Recovery Program will feature a COVID-19 response specialist that will work closely with the Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Department of Commerce, Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, Prince George’s County Department of Social Services and various community partners to engage employers and connect out-of-work residents to training and reemployment opportunities.
Over 100,000 Prince George’s County residents, specifically hourly and low-wage workers, have been laid off due to the ongoing pandemic.
“In a worst-case scenario, Employ Prince George’s is expecting thousands of residents to still be unemployed months after the county reopens,” Simmons said. “We hope that double-digit unemployment rates will decrease, but it will be a long period before we see record-low unemployment again. The funds received from the Maryland Department Labor are a first for Employ Prince George’s, related to economic recovery funding, and much-needed to help get businesses back open and residents back employed.”