Washington, D.C. ? Counties in Kansas, Missouri and eight other states will be able to benefit from $104 million in federal grants for natural disaster recovery.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas announced Friday that the grants will be used to promote the economic recovery of counties that have received disaster designations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Economic Development Administration is looking for programs that increase employment opportunities. The grants are not intended to be used to assist in rebuilding efforts.

Entities eligible to apply for the grant include state and local governments and charities.

Besides Kansas and Missouri, grant money also can be used to benefit counties in Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Utah, Wyoming and the Dakotas.