Published: March 21, 2008 03:24 pm         

$200M available for Hancock Co. Katrina recovery

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi officials say $200 million in federal money is being set aside for Hurricane Katrina recovery projects in Hancock County.

Gov. Haley Barbour says he expects the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to approve the state’s plan to make the money available for projects such as rebuilding the Hancock County Jail, improving downtown Bay St. Louis and adding lanes to Mississippi Highway 603.

The governor’s office says other groups could apply for part of the money, including the Valena C. Jones Facility/Boys and Girls Club, the Waveland Little League Fields, the Bay St. Louis Arts and Cultural Center and the Pearlington Library and Gym.

Katrina came ashore in Hancock County on Aug. 29, 2005.