Wisconsin Governor Doyle Announces Additional Assistance for Workers Affected by Closure of General Mitchell 440th Airlift Wing

Federal Funding to Help Former Air Force Reserve Workers Develop New Skills for New Careers

March 18, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today that the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) will receive an additional $524,360 in federal Department of Labor Base Realignment and Closure National Emergency Grant funding to continue to provide employment related assistance to the approximately 300 workers affected by the recent closure of the General Mitchell 440th Airlift Wing in Milwaukee.

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“I am pleased we are able to offer additional assistance to the men and women who served at the 440th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve before the base closure took affect,” Governor Doyle said. “These hard working and highly motivated men and women will face a challenging job market and this additional federal funding will help them learn new job skills and get back into the workforce.”

The additional $524,360 in funding represents the second and final increment of National Emergency Grant assistance to the 440th Airlift Wing. The initial increment of $200,000 was provided to DWD in 2007.

“This additional funding will help us continue our comprehensive strategy to reemploy the affected workers, including many who live in southeast Wisconsin,” DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman said. “Working with our partners, we can help workers learn new job skills through retraining, and provide job search and support services as they pursue new careers.”

The Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board will administer the grant and will deliver services through the Milwaukee HIRE (Help in Re-employment) Center. Services will include individual employment plan development, job placement workshops, and training through the three Wisconsin Technical College System campuses serving southeastern Wisconsin.

Services to these workers were provided onsite at the Airlift Wing until the facility closed in February, 2008 and will continue to be provided through the Milwaukee HIRE Center, located at 816 West National Avenue in Milwaukee. Individuals interested in these services may contact the Milwaukee HIRE Center at (414) 385-6920.

Source: Wisconsin Governor