NEW ORLEANS – Communities in four states devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are rebuilding with more than $8 billion in Public Assistance grants provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). State and local governments in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are using the $8.04 billion for a variety of projects ranging from repair and reconstruction of hurricane-damaged schools, roads, utilities and other public infrastructure to removal of storm debris.

 “FEMA and our state and local partners have been aggressive in our commitment to rebuild what Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have destroyed,” said Gil Jamieson, FEMA’s Associate Deputy Administrator for Gulf Coast Recovery. “The $8 billion is a significant accomplishment for FEMA and our partners. It is more than what FEMA provided for Public Assistance after Hurricanes Hugo, Andrew, Georges, Ivan and the Northridge Earthquake combined. It also demonstrates FEMA’s continued commitment to the citizens of the Gulf Coast.”

 Funds provided by FEMA are obligated for projects and placed in the respective state’s designated account. The state administers the FEMA grants and disburses the funding to the grant applicants. FEMA is providing 100 percent of the eligible costs of the projects.

 Jamieson notes that FEMA has documented damages and funded over 58,000 projects in the four states. “While this is a significant accomplishment, FEMA will continue to work with applicants to identify and fund all eligible damages related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.   We’ll not leave or close up shop along the Gulf Coast until the job is complete.”

 Through the Public Assistance Grant Program, FEMA reimburses state and local governments and certain eligible private nonprofit organizations for the actual costs for work required because of the disaster. Eligible projects include damaged roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and their contents, publicly owned utilities and parks and recreation areas. The Public Assistance Grant Program also includes funds for emergency services and eligible debris-removal costs related to the disaster.

Public Assistance funds have been paid to each state as follows:

 Alabama

• PA funds obligated to state: $106.64 million

Louisiana

• PA funds obligated to state: $4.85 billion

Mississippi

• PA funds obligated to state: $2.12 billion

Texas

• PA funds paid to state: $962 million

The Gulf Coast Recovery Office coordinates FEMA’s recovery and mitigation programs in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas as they recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.