NORTHLAND'S NEWSCENTER

Obey Tours Ashland Job Program

09/02/2009

One-point-seven million dollars of federal stimulus money went to the Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program, or CEP.

The program helps youth and unemployed workers find jobs.

On Wednesday, Representative Dave Obey toured the facility and heard some of the success stories that were a direct result of the cash.

Program partcipant Tia Hanson said "I'm working full time so I'm learning the whole ways of a full time job and then working with other people will be very helpful in the future and then just having this on my résumé will probably help, and I really enjoy it."

Representative Obey wasn't only in Ashland to hear the success stories; he also wanted to make sure the money was well spent.

The Congressman said "We had many provisions in that bill requiring oversight, requiring review. That was probably the most transparent bill in history in terms of helping people understand how that money is being used."

And from what Obey saw in Ashland he believes the money went to the right place.

Obey continues "You pumped almost a million dollars into the local economy of the area, and in addition to that you've provided some terrific additional skills for these young people that will benefit them in their job searches and their lives for as long as they're around."

The Staff at Northwest CEP say the stimulus money was essential for their success this year.

Youth Program Manager Brad Gingras said "Our organization through the stimulus funding the A.R.R.A funding was able to pay some of the wages for the employers which has huge kickbacks to the community, you know the community projects that were able to take place, far exceeded anything that could have happened without the funding."

CEP says they served more than 8-hundred citizens with the stimulus money, which they say still hasn't run out.

Some of the youth summer employment programs include, working at libraries, being a green energy advocate, and certified nursing assistant training.

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