Stone County officials say 461 jobs will be created during the construction phase of water and wastewater projects.

The $38.6 million projects are part of the Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan, which was created in response to damage done by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants.

The plan identifies water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure needs in the six Gulf Region counties of Hancock, Harrison, George, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone.

The Stone County Economic Development Partnership says the projects are under way and the jobs will have an estimated payroll of almost $16 million.