WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker (R-Miss) today reported Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval of several reimbursement awards to Mississippi for public works recovery projects following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

FEMA has approved more than $48.6 million in Public Assistance Grant Program funding for four Mississippi projects, including $36.3 million for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements made by the Diamondhead Water and Sewer District following the disastrous 2005 hurricane season.

“These awards represent further progress by FEMA to reimburse the recovery costs incurred by communities and the state following Hurricane Katrina,” said Cochran, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds FEMA.

“As the Gulf Coast continues to rebuild, these projects are helping to improve neighborhoods for families throughout the region,” said Wicker.

In addition to the Diamondhead award, FEMA also approved reimbursement payments of $5.8 million for costs associated with rebuilding Magnolia Junior High School in Moss Point and $1.1 million for repairs to the Hancock Medical Center in Bay St. Louis.  With these awards, FEMA has approved a total of $10.1 million for the Magnolia Junior High School project and $24.0 million for Hancock Medical Center.

Today’s grant approval also included $3.5 million for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to reimburse the state of Florida for emergency response services provided immediately following the storm.

The FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program provides assistance to states, communities, tribes and certain nonprofit organizations for response and recovery projects following major disasters or emergencies.  This work includes repair, replacement or restoration of damaged, publicly-owned facilities.  Congress authorized FEMA to pay 100 percent of the costs for recovery projects associated with Hurricane Katrina.

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