US Department of Labor awards $2M to help Kentucky workers affected by mass layoffs, closures

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $2 million to the Kentucky Department of Workforce Development to support employment and training services for eligible individuals in 25 counties impacted by mass layoffs and plant closures.

Between August 2025 and March 2026, mass layoffs at Akebono Brake Corp., BlueOval SK, Fritz Winter North America LP, Kentucky Cooperage LP, Moveret Inc., and Russellville Engineered Castings Inc. have affected 2,414 workers. Given the significant number of mass layoffs and closures occurring at major manufacturing and advanced production facilities, the local labor market has a limited capacity to absorb these workers into similar jobs.

Administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration, this National Dislocated Worker Grantwill allow the Kentucky Department of Workforce Development to provide retraining and skills development services for dislocated workers seeking assistance in Allen, Barren, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Butler, Edmonson, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, Henry, Jefferson, LaRue, Logan, Marion, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Simpson, Spencer, Trimble, Warren, and Washington counties.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.

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