Follow the moneyNapolitano announces stimulus package grants

DHS secretary Janet Napolitano announced more than $380 million in grants —funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) — to pay for fire station construction and port and transit security initiatives nationwide while creating jobs and stimulating local economies.

“Infusing these Recovery Act dollars into local projects across the country will strengthen the nation’s preparedness while helping to reinvigorate America’s economy,” said Napolitano. “These grants will enhance the resiliency of our critical infrastructure and improve our emergency response capabilities by supporting risk-based initiatives integral to our national security.”

The ARRA grants announced today will protect critical infrastructure facilities and transit systems and strengthen community response efforts by supporting new fire station construction and upgrades.

• The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is awarding $150 million in ARRA funding to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism; enhance maritime domain awareness and risk management capabilities; and support the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) — a tamper-resistant biometric credential issued to workers who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels. 
• The Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) is awarding $72 million in ARRA funding for capital projects, such as improvements to high-density tunnels, stations, and bridges. Napolitano announced nearly $78 million in ARRA TSGP funding for approximately 240 new law enforcement officers at 15 transit systems across the country to enhance the nation’s ability to guard against acts of terrorism in July — for a total of $150 million in ARRA funding for TSGP.
• The Fire Station Construction Grant Program (SCG) is awarding $166 million for fire departments to build new or modify existing fire stations to enhance response capabilities and protect communities from fire-related hazards. These grants will replace unsafe or uninhabitable structures and expand fire protection coverage in compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards.

Napolitano’s ARRA grant announcements come in addition to more than $1.34 billion awarded earlier this year for DHS port, transit, and firefighter assistance grants.

As has been the case before, in awarding ARRA funds, DHS prioritizes shovel-ready projects that infuse resources into local economies quickly while meeting critical security needs. DHS has obligated more than 30 percent of its ARRA funds to date, and is on track to obligate more than 50 percent by the end of September 2009.

ARRA, signed into law by President Obama on 19 February, committed more than $3 billion for homeland security projects through DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA) — including $610 million to FEMA for grants to local communities across the country.

For more information on preparedness grant programs or the Recovery Act, visit www.dhs.gov, www.dhs.gov/recovery and www.fema.gov/government/grant/arra/index.shtm.