Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a total of $10,251,895 in state and local preparedness grants to the State of Maine.  This funding was awarded through the fiscal year (FY) 2020 State and Local Preparedness Grant Program to help address the nation’s immediate security needs and ensure public safety in communities across the country.

“The men and women who serve as Maine’s law enforcement and first responders are committed to helping families and communities throughout the state,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “We welcome this important investment in Maine’s communities amid the coronavirus pandemic, which will help to ensure that our brave first responders are able to access the resources they need to respond to emergencies and protect our great state.”

This funding will be allocated as follows:

• Maine law enforcement agencies will receive a total of $1,915,000 through the Operations Stonegarden program to enhance cooperation and coordination among state, local, tribal, territorial and federal law enforcement agencies in the joint mission to secure the nation’s border with Canada.
• The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point Reservation will receive a total of $374,000 through the Tribal Homeland Security Grant program to help protect the tribe against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.
• Maine churches and synagogues will receive a total of more than $150,000 through the Nonprofit Security Grant program to coordinate terrorist attack preparedness and prevention efforts:

o   The Beth Israel Congregation will receive $3,500.

o   The Christian Life Church will receive $13,250.

o   The Temple Beth EI will receive $48,000.

o   The Temple Shalom Synagogue will receive $87,978.

• The State of Maine will receive a total of $3,525,395 through the Emergency Management Grant Program, which assists state, local, tribal and territorial governments in preparing for emergencies.
• The State of Maine will receive $4,287,500 though the State Homeland Security Program to support the implementation of state homeland security strategies to address planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, prepare for, and protect against acts of terrorism. 

The State and Local Preparedness Grant Program aims to provide funding to state, local, tribal and territorial governments, as well as transportation authorities, nonprofit organizations and the private sector, to improve the nation’s readiness in preventing, protecting against, responding to, recovering from and mitigating terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.