The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $551,195 to Massachusetts to support employment and training services for workers affected by layoffs at tool maker L.S. Starrett Co., which cut 78 manufacturing jobs at its Athol headquarters in June 2025.
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The Athol Daily News reported that the grant will assist 30 displaced workers across a 36-month performance period.
L.S. Starrett laid off 179 total employees across its global locations, affecting engineering, maintenance, quality assurance and other roles. The company did not provide a reason for the layoffs.
Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the National Dislocated Worker Grant allows the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to provide retraining and skills development services for dislocated workers seeking assistance in Franklin and Worcester 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.
