FEMA Public Works Grants Total $1.097 Billion in Mississippi
Release Date: May 25, 2006
Release Number: 1604-365
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BILOXI, Miss. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $41.02 million in public assistance grants for Mississippi in the past two weeks, bringing the total thus far to $1.097 billion.
This latest round of FEMA grants was obligated to the state for projects in Jackson and Wayne counties and the cities of Biloxi, Waveland, Pascagoula, Long Beach and Petal as a result of damage to public roads, schools and utilities caused by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29. Until June 30, FEMA will fund debris removal and emergency protective measures at 100 percent. All other projects have a federal cost share of 90 percent, and the state and local governments will split the remaining 10 percent.
- FEMA grants totaling $25.16 million will be used to reimburse storm debris removal costs--$20.99 million in Biloxi, $3.01 million in Petal and $1.16 million in Pascagoula.
- FEMA will grant $1.67 million to the Dixie Electric Power Association, and $1.57 million to the Southern Pine Electric Power Association to help cover costs of restoring electrical service.
- FEMA will provide $1.49 million to the Mississippi Department of Health to reimburse costs associated with Hurricane Katrina.
- A total of $12.36 million in grants will go to repair or replace school buildings--$6.36 million in Jackson County, $2.05 million in Waveland, $1.25 million in Biloxi and $2.70 million in Long Beach. The FEMA share is $11.13 million. State and local funds will provide the remainder.
The grants are part of FEMA's Public Assistance program, which reimburses state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations for disaster-related clean-up and rebuilding efforts. The grants help rebuild or restore buildings and infrastructure to pre-disaster condition. While these grants are aimed at governments and organizations, their final goal is to help a community and all its citizens recover from devastating natural disasters. The funds are administered by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
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: Thursday, 25-May-2006 09:59:14