LISBON – Two federal programs designed to help displaced workers find new jobs are available to employees of Biederlack/Cushion Craft. That textile maker is expected to close by the end of February.

About 40 people would be eligible to use the two programs – Trade Adjustment Assistance and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance – to gain new skills as they look for work. The programs offer job retraining, education, and job search and relocation assistance. Health-care tax credits and unemployment-benefits extensions are also available. The Alternative Trade Adjustment program is for displaced workers over 50.

Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins said approval for the programs came through Wednesday from the Department of Labor. They have jointly created a Androscoggin Community Task Force to help those displaced workers. The task force is coordinating with some local agencies to offer a Resource Fair on Wednesday for the Cushion Craft employees. The fair will be 2 to 5 p.m. at the Marion T. Morse Center in Lisbon Falls; the public is invited.

The federal programs are designed to help workers who lost their jobs because of global competition. Cushion Craft attributes its decline to blankets being made in China and Pakistan.

Biederlack/Cushion Craft of America leased space at Worumbo Mill for about two years. The company, based in Maryland, makes pillows, blankets, throws, wall hangings and other licensed fabric items for professional sports teams.