The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a grant to help workers affected by the closure of WestPoint Home in Biddeford.  The $553,000 grant was given to the Maine Department of Labor and will be operated by Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. It will provide dislocated workers, all of whom are certified as eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance, with access to supportive services, according to the department. The grant is funded by resources made available for National Emergency Grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly referred to as the stimulus plan. 
“This grant will provide crucial retraining and re-employment services to help workers find new careers in the high-growth, high-demand sectors of Maine’s economy,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis in a prepared statement. “Plant closing and work reductions are an unfortunate reality across industries. Today, we have an opportunity to help these workers as they seek to reenter the job market.” Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said the funding will allow 150 workers access to resources they need to find new jobs. 
“It is crucial we do our best to help these skilled workers get back to work. Many of them have been waiting weeks for training services and each day their situations get harder and harder,” she said in a prepared statement.