Fire Grants; Green Industry Workers

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Dear Friend,

Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter, the Carson Courier. For additional information on these and other topics, please visit my website at http://www.carson.house.gov.

In this week’s Carson Courier:

Supporting our Nation’s Firefighters

Helping Workers Enter New Green Industries

SUPPORTING OUR NATION’S FIREFIGHTERS

Ever since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, fire departments and first responders across the country have been overstretched—taking on the growing number of responsibilities associated with protecting against terrorist attacks while continuing their vital efforts to prevent and fight fires. As a former Homeland Security and law enforcement official, I fully understand this struggle to maintain peak performance in the face of modern challenges despite coping with budget and personnel shortfalls.

On Wednesday, I had an opportunity to vote for legislation that ensures that firefighters in Indianapolis and across the country have the tools and resources they need to fully meet the ever growing challenge of keeping our communities safe. At a time when many towns and cities are facing budget shortfalls and cuts to basic services, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act invests in vital firefighter assistance programs that allow local fire departments to provide training, purchase equipment and vehicles, and hire personnel.

In the 7^th Congressional District, I am privileged to represent some of our nation’s most talented and dedicated firefighters, who have provided exemplary service to our city despite limited resources. When these grants begin reaching our city, I confident that this track record will continue as our fire departments expand their reach into the community and develop the expertise of our firefighters.

HELPING WORKERS ENTER NEW GREEN INDUSTRIES

This week, I was privileged to join Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to announce two American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants that will be coming to the 7^th Congressional District. Each of these grants seeks to address the skyrocketing job losses experienced by workers in previously strong blue-collar industries—including the automotive industry—by funding training programs that prepare workers for Indiana’s growing green industries

Since the recent bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler, Indiana and its neighbors across the Midwest have seen skyrocketing unemployment among blue-collar auto workers. The largest Recovery Act grant announced this week seeks to assist these struggling auto workers. Divided between Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, a $4 million State Labor Market Information Improvement Grant will help these displaced workers to retrain with the new skills that they need to find long-term, gainful employment in growing green industries across our region.

The Indianapolis Private Industry Council, Inc. has also been awarded a $100,000 Green Capacity Building Grant to provide weatherization training to 74 local participants of the YouthBuild Indy program. With this training, participants will have the skills they need to advance in emerging green industries that are producing energy efficient technologies and constructing weatherized buildings.

These Department of Labor grants are yet another clear example that the Recovery Act is meeting its primary goal—to create and preserve jobs and promote economic growth. In the coming months, I will look forward to these and other valuable Recovery Act grants reaching Indianapolis and bringing our Hoosiers neighbors back to work.

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. I value your views and your input which help me to better represent the people of Indiana's 7^th District in Congress.

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The 7th District

Washington Office
2453 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515-1407
Phone: 202-225-4011
Fax: 202-225-5633
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District Office
300 E Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr.
Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46205-4258
Phone: 317-283-6516
Fax: 317-283-6567
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