Labor Department Makes Emergency Grant to Help Wisconsin Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor recently launched a $918,010 National Emergency Grant to benefit over 300 hundred laid off workers in Wisconsin. The displaced workers came from two facilities – Polaris Industries in Osceola, Wisconsin and Robin Manufacturing U.S.A. in Hudson, Wisconsin.

“The majority of workers being displaced from Polaris Industries and Robin Manufacturing have been at the same factory jobs for many years,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.  “That longevity, along with other factors, makes it important for the government to assist these workers so they may upgrade their skill sets to meet the needs of growing industries.  Advanced manufacturing and health care are among this region’s most in-demand fields.”

Polaris, which manufactures all-terrain sporting vehicles, started reducing their workforce at the Wisconsin facility earlier this year. The Polaris facility will continue with layoffs through December.  Robin Manufacturing, which produced small engines for all-terrain vehicles, closed down their Hudson plant entirely. They have shifted the plant’s production line to a facility in Tokyo.

The emergency grant is being awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. It will provide eligible workers with entrepreneurial and industry specific training as well as other resources to help workers get back on their feet. 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 and criteria, the D.O.L. confirmed in a recent press release.