(AP) - A new program in New Jersey will paybusinesses up to $2,400 to hire workers who have exhausted theirunemployment benefits.

Gov. Jon Corzine announced the federally funded program in NewBrunswick Tuesday. Corzine says he's shifting $8 million fromexisting federal training programs for the unemployed to get theprogram started and vows to find more money if it works asexpected.

Companies must pay their new workers at least $15 an hour andemploy them for a minimum of six months to be eligible. The moneywill offset initial training expenses by $5 an hour.

Businesses received $3,000 for each position created under a $50million job incentive program last year.