NASA shuttle workers get $15M grant to find jobs

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ Associated Press Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - NASA workers facing the end of the space shuttle era are getting $15 million from the federal government to help them find new jobs.

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis announced the emergency grant Wednesday at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

She said the grant will assist about 3,200 workers who will be affected by the soon-to-be-retired shuttle program.

As many as 20,000 contract and subcontract workers could be laid off by the end of the shuttle program. The two remaining shuttle missions are scheduled for this fall.

It's all part of plans set forth earlier this year by President Barack Obama to revamp the human space program.