The citizens of Biloxi received a major Christmas present the other day — FEMA reinstating $8.8 million for infrastructure work — and Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich says Mississippi’s Congressional delegation played a major role in the issue.
FEMA reinstated $8.8 million in Katrina disaster funds for Biloxi’s infrastructure projects, after the city in August appealed the federal agency’s “de-obligation” of $8.8 million Biloxi had spent with FEMAā€™s approval.
Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Congressmen Steven Palazzo and Bennie Thompson on Sept. 13 sent a bi-partisan letter to FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C., requesting FEMA re-consider its action, based on documents showing Biloxi had followed FEMA’s recommendations made by its experienced employees handling the Mississippi Coast recovery.
“Mississippiā€™s senators and Congressmen went to bat for Biloxi to explain the facts to FEMA headquarters,” Gilich said. “The people of Biloxi deeply appreciate the leadership of our Congressional delegation in getting the job done. We also appreciate FEMAā€™s analysis and decision on our appeal, and we look forward to resolution of any remaining issues.ā€¯
Gilich also praised Gregory Michel, executive director of Mississippi’s Emergency Management Agency, “for his outstanding leadership and expertise in presenting the facts, along with Biloxi’s Engineering and Legal teams, to the Congressional delegation and FEMA headquarters.”
Details of the Congressional delegation’s action
See video, maps of infrastructure progress
