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Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation Establishes Relief Fund for St. Bernard Parish; BLMC Launches Fund With $150K Donation and Matching Challenge; Fund Grants $25K to St. Bernard Parish Government

Posted on: Thursday, 24 August 2006, 12:00 CDT

Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation (PINK SHEETS: BLMC) announced today the formation of the Biloxi Marsh Disaster Relief Fund Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide financial assistance to residents, businesses, and government agencies of St. Bernard Parish who suffered extensive losses due to Hurricane Katrina.

"Our immediate goal is to communicate to the region and the world that the citizens of St. Bernard Parish still need help to rebuild their community," said William B. Rudolf, President of the Metairie, LA-based land company, Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation. "As we approach the one year anniversary of Katrina's devastation, we need to ensure that the nation remains aware of the plight of St. Bernard Parish and the overwhelming obstacles still faced by residents," he said.

Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation's initial donation to the Biloxi Marsh Disaster Relief Fund is $150,000.00. Rudolf also announced that his company will match up to 50% on the dollar for the first $300,000.00 donated to the fund by other individuals or companies, bringing the total committed by Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation to $300,000.00.

"I anticipate that other businesses that operate in St. Bernard Parish will donate to the fund and support the recovery here," said Rudolf. Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation, founded in the 1930's, is the largest landowner in St. Bernard Parish and currently partners with the State of Louisiana to provide the public with 40,000 acres in Upper St. Bernard Parish on which they can hunt and fish free of charge. This area, known as the Biloxi Wildlife Management Area, is utilized by sportsmen and commercial fishermen, as well as boaters and bird watchers.

"The leadership demonstrated by Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation is inspiring and shows the rest of the country that we locals are stepping up the plate and leading our own recovery," said St. Bernard Parish President Junior Rodriguez. "My hope is that the general public and other area businesses follow suit and donate to the Biloxi Marsh Disaster Relief Fund Corporation, allowing Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation the chance to fulfill its matching obligation," he said.

The Biloxi Marsh Disaster Relief Fund Corporation gave $25,000.00 to help establish Camp Hope, an effort to house and feed volunteers who have come to St. Bernard Parish to gut and clean homes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Going forward, the Biloxi Marsh Disaster Relief Fund Corporation will initially focus efforts on raising awareness and donations to the fund. After adequate funds are raised which will allow the fund to provide meaningful assistance to the community, the fund will commence dispersing funds to needy recipients based upon a formal application process. Through this process, the potential recipients must clearly demonstrate a need based on hurricane-related losses.

Recently announced members of the Board of Directors for the Biloxi Marsh Disaster Relief Fund Corporation include William B. Rudolf, President of Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation; John F. Bernard, President of Lake Eugenie Land & Development, Inc; Matthew ("Matt") J. Randazzo, III, a Partner with Gordon, Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, L.L.P.; Daniel L. Dysart, a Partner with Dysart & Tabary LLP, Law Firm and a Member of St. Bernard Parish Citizens Recovery Committee and Charles H. Reppel, Sr., Special Assistant to the St. Bernard Parish President. To instill added credibility to the Biloxi Marsh Disaster Relief Fund Corporation, the fund has retained KPMG. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG operates in 144 countries and has over 6,700 partners, 76,000 client service professionals, and 21,000 administration and support staff working in member firms around the world.

To donate to The Biloxi Marsh Disaster Relief Fund Corporation, visit www.selarelief.com or contact Eric Zollinger at 504/837-4337. More information on Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation can be found on the web at www.biloximarshlandscorp.com.

Source: Business Wire

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