The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded grants totaling nearly $3.8 million to Hancock County and the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi for Hurricane Katrina recovery costs, a statement Monday from Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott said.

The Catholic Diocese of Biloxi will receive more than $1.5 million to restore a parish life center building in Long Beach that was destroyed during the Aug. 29, 2005 storm. The center, comprised of a community room, three meeting rooms and a kitchen, was a social and educational gathering facility for the general public.

“I am pleased the Federal Emergency Management Agency has released additional funding as our citizens along the coast continue to recover and rebuild from Hurricane Katrina,” Cochran said in the statement. “With continued cooperation among citizens, businesses and government entities, this important part of our state will remain vibrant despite the storms destruction.”

Hancock County will use the more than $2.2 million to fix 48 storm sewer outfalls along the beach that were damaged by wind-driven debris from Katrina.

“Mississippi’s Congressional delegation continues working to secure needed funding for our states ongoing hurricane recovery effort, and I’m pleased that this money is helping to restore public infrastructure,” Lott said in the statement. “As our recovery continues, each dollar spent on rebuilding is making our state stronger and closer to a brighter future.”