NOBULL: Corporate Welfare — Taxpayers cover Cargill’s damage

Federal money released to help displaced Cargill Meat workers

By Rita Jane Gabbett on 7/16/2013

The Texas Workforce Commission announced it has received $1.1 million of the funding it requested in National Emergency Grants from the U.S. Department of Labor to assist workers displaced by the recent closure of the Cargill Meat Solutions plant in Plainview, Texas.

The funds will provide training and re-employment services to assist the plant’s displaced workers, said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. The remaining $1 million of the total $2.1 million awarded to TWC will be released if there is a continued demonstrated need for assistance.

Cargill announced the plant’s closure in January. More than 2,000 workers lost their jobs.

National Emergency Grants are part of the Secretary of Labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines.