Mobile – Help is on the way for Alabama seafood businesses that are still struggling because of Hurricane Katrina.
State officials are trying to determine the best places to spend about $15 million that's been set aside by Congress to help seafood processors, dealers and related businesses that were hit by Katrina.
The money isn't much compared to the total damage estimate of $112 million from the 2005 hurricane season.
But officials hope it will help revive the industry along the Alabama coast.
Vernon Minton is director of the Alabama Marine Resources Division. He says more than $8 million of the money will go to businesses like shrimp processors and oyster dealers.
More than $6 million will go to facilities that had storm damage resulting in lost sales and inventory. And the remaining money will help fund a recycling plant for seafood waste.
Officials say surveys are being sent to coastal businesses to determine how to best spend the $15 million.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)