WASHINGTON – Federal funding totaling $3,111,326 has been awarded to the cities of Biloxi and Gulfport, U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker announced today.  The grants, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), were awarded for debris removal and repair of sewer and water distribution lines damaged by Hurricane Katrina. 

Sen. Cochran said: “Nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, municipalities continue to need financial assistance from the federal government.  I am pleased the Federal Emergency Management Agency has recognized some of these needs today by reimbursing Gulfport and Biloxi for their cleanup efforts.”

Sen. Wicker added: “South Mississippi has come a long way since Katrina hit nearly three years ago, but the job is not finished.  The federal government still has an important role to play, and I am glad these funds were released in recognition of that fact.  I intend to continue working with Sen. Cochran and the rest of our congressional delegation to ensure the federal government helps finish the job of rebuilding the Gulf Coast.”

Details on the awards are as follows:

• City of Gulfport – $1,674,967:  Provides an additional $1,674,967.92 in funding for debris removal and disposal in the City of Gulfport to bring the total funding of this project to $2,525,567.92.
  
• City of Biloxi – $1,436,359:  Provides an additional $1,436,359 for water well repair.  Twenty-three of the city’s 25 water wells were damaged by Katrina, mainly due to water submersion of the electrical components such as the control panels, pumps, wiring, and auxiliary motors.  This funding accounts for costs that were not included in previous well repair grants, bringing the total federal funding for drinking water in the City of Biloxi to $2,446,668.