What You Need to Know: California is awarding funds to help workers and small businesses of Solano County impacted by the recent closures of Anheuser-Busch and Mare Island Dry Dock. The $410,000 grant supports recovery in the area by providing employment services, training, and business assistance to those affected by the closures.
SACRAMENTO — A $410,000 grant is providing needed support to hundreds of workers affected by the recent closures of the Anheuser-Busch plant in Fairfield and Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo. The Employment Development Department (EDD) is awarding the funds to the Workforce Development Board of Solano County (WDB) to help stabilize the area’s workforce and economy.
These closures not only impact the more than 300 workers at the closing facilities but also hundreds of employees at local area supply-chain businesses, including packaging suppliers, logistics firms, maintenance contractors, and transportation providers. Many of these individuals possess advanced technical skills, and experience in highly specialized brewing and industrial processes.
The Solano County WDB will provide Rapid Response services that includes career planning, job search assistance, and training opportunities. Services will focus on work-based learning opportunities in brewing, manufacturing, distribution, transportation, and related industries. The initiative also includes layoff aversion efforts and small business support, offering personalized consulting and financial assistance to impacted employers to help pivot their operations.
Solano WDB stakeholder meeting to discuss community impact on recent closure of Mare Island Dry Dock.
For more information about the Workforce Development Board of Solano County and their services, contact Dave Hubble at dhubble@solanowdb.org, or by phone at (707) 863-3501.
This award is 100 percent federally funded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).