Gov. Haley Barbour says more than $4 million in federal money is being divided among Mississippi coastal cities and counties so they can hire additional code-enforcement officers and building inspectors.

Barbour said the new hires should help communities speed up the rebuilding process from Hurricane Katrina, which struck last Aug. 29.

“These communities have demonstrated a firm commitment to address the pressing needs of economic and residential development, and I commend them for dedication to build stronger, safer structures and for helping to improve the quality of life of our Gulf Coast residents,” Barbour said in a news release Thursday.