DHS funds IT-related projects
Some of the $1.8 billion in DHS grants will go to state and local governments' technology projects.
The Homeland Security Department is making nearly $1.8 billion in emergency preparedness grants available to state and local agencies to fund information technology-related projects, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced.
The grants are for state, local and tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations. Funding for IT-related projects covers interoperable emergency communications, video surveillance systems, perimeter security systems, command and control centers, and information-sharing programs.
The 2009 grant programs reflect changes in DHS’ procedures to improve the ability of state and local partners to apply for and use the grants, according to a DHS press release issued June 16.
The steps include considering feedback from state and local agencies when targeting allocations, offering assistance to state and local agencies to use the money for long-term projects, and developing greater transparency and efficiency in the application process, the press release states.
The grant programs include:
- State Homeland Security Program, $861.1 million.
- Urban Area Security Initiative, $798.6 million.
- Metropolitan Medical Response System, $39.8 million.
- Citizens Corps Program, $14.6 million.
- Nonprofit Security Grant Program, $15 million.
- State Homeland Security Program–Tribal, $1.7 million.