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500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, S.D. 57501
(605) 773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 21, 2011
CONTACT: Dawn Dovre, South Dakota Department of Labor, 605-773-3094
State Receives $379,500 Grant For Premier Bankcard Dislocated Workers
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation has been awarded a National Emergency Grant (NEG) in the amount of $379,500 to assist with employment and training services for workers laid off by Premier Bankcard in Spearfish.
“The closure of Premier Bankcard was sad news for Spearfish and surrounding communities,” said Gov. Dennis Daugaard. “This grant will help ease the pain by providing opportunities for those employees to learn new skills in high-demand, high-wage occupations. “Equipped with the proper training, hopefully they will be able to quickly re-enter the workforce.”
The federal grant can assist with on-the-job training, continued education and tuition assistance. Job-search workshops, relocation expenses and support services such as transportation and child care assistance can also be provided.
“Our Spearfish office has worked closely with Premier Bankcard and has assisted the workers since the May closure announcement,” said State Labor and Regulation Secretary Pam Roberts. “We have provided on-site job fairs, held job-search assistance programs and spoken individually with people to provide customized assistance. This grant will allow us to offer workers even more services.”
The NEG is awarded from the U.S. Department of Labor. More information on the program and other re-employment services is available from any state Department of Labor and Regulation local office or www.sdjobs.org . In Spearfish, the office is located at 1300 North Avenue or may be reached by calling 605-642-6900.
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