Grant will help laid-off workers

REGION – A local nonprofit has received more than half a million dollars in stimulus funds to assist laid-off manufacturing workers in southern New Hampshire.

Southern New Hampshire Services, Hillsborough County’s Community Action Agency, will use the $558,591 to help a total of 160 workers from eight different companies, a statement from the U.S. Department of Labor said.

The money will provide them with dislocated worker services like skills assessments, career counseling and training.

Layoffs at the eight manufacturing companies – which were not named in the statement – occurred between July 2008 and February 2009.

The grant was initially awarded to the New Hampshire Department of Labor, but the money is being managed by Southern New Hampshire Services.