Pa.’s at-risk businesses to gain access to millions in funding

Pennsylvania’s at-risk businesses are getting a financial boost from the Department of Labor and Industry. 

To support Rapid Response Services to stabilize at-risk businesses or attract buyers who would maintain the workforce of an at-risk company, the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) announced $6 million in available Statewide Layoff Aversion Program funding. 

“When workers lose jobs with family-sustaining pay and benefits, it can destabilize entire communities,” L&I Acting Secretary Nancy Walker said in a statement. “Rapid Response Services are critical to minimizing the impacts of mass layoffs and closures, so that Pennsylvania communities and families have a real opportunity to rebound. 

“Likewise, with this grant funding, L&I will prioritize early intervention services aimed at preventing layoffs whenever possible,” she said. 

Pennsylvania provides Rapid Response Services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity ACT (WIOA). The services assist in early intervention and re-employment services for businesses and their employees affected by a permanent closure, mass layoff, or natural or other disaster resulting in mass job dislocation. 

Rapid Response engages with local businesses in their communities to provide job retention resources for potentially dislocated workers. This helps workers to find unemployment as soon as possible while also preventing loss of wages and economic uncertainty. 

Organizations with the experience and expertise to advance L&I’s goal of developing and using the state’s existing workforce development system to prevent layoffs and aid at-risk businesses are eligible to apply. 

Applicants who can create partnerships to coordinate the design of the project, develop and implement an appropriate budget, deliver services, collect and report performance management measures, and coordinate and evaluate the activities of the project are also eligible. 

Grant applications are due by 4 p.m. on April 3. Additional grant details and the grant application can be found on L&I’s website.