FEMA Public Assistance Grants Total $62.38 Million In One Week
Release Date: April 14, 2006
Release Number: 1604-319
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BILOXI, Miss. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $57.19 million in public assistance grants for south Mississippi between April 6 and April 13.
“The Public Assistance Program provides communities that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina with the necessary funds to repair and improve damaged infrastructure which will support residents and businesses as they rebuild,” said Robert Latham, director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
The funds were obligated to the state for a variety of projects in Hancock and Harrison counties and the cities of Bay St. Louis and Pascagoula as a result of damage to public roads, buildings and utilities caused by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29. State and local funds made up the remainder of the $62.38 million.
A grant also was awarded to Magnolia Electric Power Association for costs associated with restoring power in wide sections of south Mississippi after the hurricane.
The grants will reimburse the counties, cities and power association for work to get sewers operating, roads opened, electric power restored, debris picked up and potable water flowing. That work has allowed other elements of the recovery process to move forward.
- The city of Bay St. Louis will receive $3.98 million to repair roads and sidewalks, $18.36 million to replace the city’s potable water system, $3.18 million to restore the city’s drainage system and $7.44 million to replace the city’s sanitary sewer system.
- The city of Pascagoula will receive $1.35 million to remove and replace sanitary sewer lift stations and sewer plant roofs.
- Hancock County will receive $7.44 million to remove and dispose of debris from 2 million linear feet of ditches throughout the county. Harrison County will receive $6.28 million to remove downed trees throughout the county.
- The Magnolia Electric Power Association will receive $2.99 million for costs incurred in restoring power to south Mississippi after Katrina.
“These grants represent just one week’s worth of federal financial assistance to our local governments in south Mississippi,” said Jesse Munoz, deputy federal coordinating officer for Mississippi relief efforts. “There is still much to be done as we continue the long and difficult effort to restore our beautiful coastal communities.”
The grants are part of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which reimburses state and local governments and some non-profit organizations on a cost-share basis. The funds are used to cover the costs of cleanup and repair to buildings and infrastructure following an event that results in a federal disaster declaration.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 14-Apr-2006 14:23:24