$3.5 Million in Federal Funding Coming to Delaware; Money Will Assist Workers Affected by Refinery Layoffs

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a $3,511,254 grant to assist approximately 546 workers affected by layoffs at Valero Energy Corp. located in Delaware City, Del., said the state’s congressional delegation, Sens. Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman (both D-Del.) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.).  

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the funding was awarded to the Delaware Department of Labor and will provide affected workers with access to dislocated worker services that may include skills assessment, individual career counseling and occupational skills training. On-the-job training will be provided to about 467 of the former Valero workers to transition them to new employment opportunities at the modernized refinery. Others will receive training on transferring existing skills to other careers to meet the needs of local companies. 

The Delaware Department of Labor worked hard to put together a very strong application for this funding and has worked with the new owner of the Valero facility, Delaware City Refining Company LLC, to identify the skills needed to upgrade the facility with state of the art air emission reduction technology. 

The congressional delegation worked diligently in support of this application with the Obama Administration.  They also worked with Governor Markell, the state, and New Castle County Executive Chris Coons to make sure Valero could be reopened as quickly as possible. The announcement today is yet another example of how Delaware leaders work together to make things happen. 

"Delaware works best when Delaware works together. The state’s Department of Labor helped pull together a strong application and we worked together to help make the case that this funding could make a real difference. As a result, more Delawareans will get help getting back to work," the delegation said.

This funding is part of a National Emergency Grant which is part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and is awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.