WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded several state and local preparedness grants to the State of Maine.  The awards total $8,711,309 and are part of the FY 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program, which is comprised of several related grant programs.
 
“This important investment will help our state prepare for, protect against, and respond to potential acts of terrorism or catastrophic disasters,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “This funding is crucially important to building and delivering the capabilities that help to keep our families and communities safe. This announcement will also support the brave men and women who serve as law enforcement and first responders, enabling them to access the resources needed to protect our great state.”
 
The intent of the Homeland Security Grant Program is to provide funding to assist state and local governments in obtaining the resources required to support the National Preparedness Goal’s associated Mission Areas and Core Capabilities.
 
The awards to the state of Maine are as follows:
 
State Homeland Security Program: Provides funding to support the implementation of state homeland security strategies to address identified planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.

Total award: $3,734,500

Operation Stonegarden: Provides funding to enhance cooperation and coordination among local, tribal, territorial, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the United States’ borders along routes of ingress from international borders to include travel corridors in states bordering Mexico and Canada, as well as states and territories with international water borders.

Awards issued: 

Aroostook:         $219,900

Franklin:            $170,000

Oxford:              $160,000

Somerset:          $125,657

Washington:       $185,000

Total award:     $860,557

Emergency Management Performance Grant Program: Provides funding to assist with coordination and guidance so that a comprehensive emergency preparedness system exists for all hazards.

Total award: $3,490,362

Port Security Grant Program: aims to strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure, specifically maritime transportation infrastructure, against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks.

 
Awards issued:

City of Portland Maine Police Department:               $200,500

Falmouth Police Department:                                      $224,455

Global Companies, LLC:                                              $24,985

Maine Port Authority:                                                  $151,000

Sprague South Portland:                                             $24,950

Total Award:                                                              $625,890
 

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