Washington - U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) grant funding will be awarded for employment-related services to assist blueberry farm workers in Atlantic County affected by layoffs. The $1,656,673 grant, awarded by the Department of Labor (DOL) toPathStoneCorp., will also provide employment-related services to affected farm workers in areas of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico.

"From our farms to our factories, workers are struggling to find jobs and need our help,"said Lautenberg who helped write the Recovery Act as a member of the Appropriations Committee. "This timely Recovery Act funding will offer critical support, training and employment services for dislocated farm workers in Atlantic County."

"New Jersey is called the Garden State for a reason, but like every other industry, our agricultural workers have suffered the effects of the Great Recession," said Menendez. "This investment will help ensure they have the skills and expertise to gain new, stable employment."

PathStoneis a not-for-profit regional community development and human service organization that provides services to farm workers, low-income families and communities throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Vermont, and Puerto Rico.

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