HOLT AND PALLONE LAUD FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING FOR FORT MONMOUTH WORKERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2008

U.S. Representatives Rush Holt (NJ-12) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) today lauded the announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor that it is awarding the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development $3 million in federal funding to retain a portion of the Fort Monmouth workforce. This funding will allow up to 1,100 Fort Monmouth employees to continue their work until June 30, 2010. The lawmakers believe keeping these highly skilled workers on board will ensure that our soldiers fighting abroad have the support they need as they fight to protect our country. The grant will also be used to assist workers in upgrading their skills through job training, as well as for efforts designed to attract businesses seeking to enter or expand their presence in the defense, communications, and homeland security sectors.

“While we continue to oppose the decision to close Fort Monmouth and pursue ways to reverse it, the talented workers at Fort Monmouth should be given every opportunity to continue to do their important work,” Holt said.

"While I continue to oppose the closure of Fort Monmouth, this grant will provide essential funding to retain the highly skilled workforce at the fort," Pallone said. "Working with Governor Corzine, we will ensure that job creation is a priority so that the high tech jobs at Fort Monmouth stay in Monmouth County to support essential base operations."