WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) is providing significant additional security funding to New Jersey and various organizations, U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) announced today.   The funding is being made available through several competitive grant programs. 

“These grants are evidence that our Appropriations Committee takes its role in safeguarding our homeland and protecting our citizens seriously,” said Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), Chairman of the Committee.  “Through our annual Homeland Security Appropriations bill, we fully support our men and women on the frontline lines who work tirelessly to keep us safe while providing the necessary funding for critical technology and local programs that enhance our capabilities and preparedness.”

Specifically, FEMA is providing:

$19.7M in port security grants to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and other first responder organizations in both states.

$21.8M in total to New Jersey for transit security grants, including:

• $16.3M for New Jersey Transit;
• $2.3M for Port Authority of New York and New Jersey;
• $3.2M for Delaware River Port Authority;

In addition, non-profit organizations in the New Jersey/New York Urban Area will receive $3.8M for infrastructure “hardening” and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack.   Synagogues, Jewish Community Centers and schools, including several in New Jersey, were targeted earlier this year in a series of bomb threats. 

“Hatred that we call anti-Semitism has become epidemic in 2017.  While we must continue to work every day to stop it, these grants allow non-profit organizations to help protect themselves,” said Frelinghuysen.

In its most recent FY 2018 Homeland Security funding bill, Frelinghuysen’s Appropriations Committee doubled the funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to a total of $50 million. 

The House of Representatives is currently scheduled to debate and approve the FY ’18 Homeland Security Appropriations bill and seven other appropriations bill in the next few weeks.

The Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) provides funds to eligible publicly owned operators of public transportation systems to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure. 

The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) covers allowable costs used to support the “Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery” missions of our nation’s maritime ports. 

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