Georgia Receives $55.6 Million in Homeland Security Grants

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue today thanked President Bush and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge for homeland security grants totaling $55,617,000 for state and local first responders to prevent, respond, and recover from potential terrorist acts. These grants, along with the $25 million appropriated by Congress on October 30, will help the state meet the security needs for the upcoming G8 Economic Summit.

"I would like to express my thanks to President Bush and Secretary Ridge for these homeland security funds which will assist in protecting the people of Georgia," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "It is vitally important that we provide support to state and local law enforcement and emergency personnel."

The grants are part of the $2.2 billion allocated to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Domestic Preparedness from the FY04 budget. The grants will be distributed in Georgia as part of three programs - the State Homeland Security Program, $42,214,000; the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), $12,526,000; and Citizen Corps, $877,000.

The State Homeland Security Program assists state and local public safety and law enforcement personnel pay for planning, training, equipment, exercises, and other costs associated with preventing, responding, and recovering from potential terrorist activities. LETPP seeks to provide law enforcement with enhanced capabilities for potential terrorist activities with a specific focus on the prevention of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) incident. The Citizen Corps grants will be used to support Citizen Corps Councils with planning, outreach, and management of programs and activities.