WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that Maine will receive more than $7.9 million in grant funding from the Department of Homeland Security to help state and local officials build and enhance preparedness for regional and national emergencies.

Funding is being distributed as follows:

• $3.46 million from the State Homeland Security Grant Program which may be used for planning and organization or the purchase of equipment to prevent and respond to terrorist acts and catastrophic events.

• $3.32 million from the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program which may be used to fund emergency preparedness and response activities.

• $924,422 from the Operation Stonegarden Grant Program which funds border security activities and joint operations between local first responders and the Border Patrol.

• $211,988 from the Port Security Grant Program for the Port Areas of Portland, Portsmouth, Searsport, and Wells to fund transportation infrastructure security activities.

“These funds will help improve the effectiveness of our state and local partners who are the first on the scene when natural disasters and terrorist attacks strike,” said Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “Operation Stonegarden funding is particularly important. This is a successful program that encourages local, state, and federal coordination of efforts to protect our borders by funding joint operations between the Border Patrol and state and local law enforcement.”

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