Governor Perdue Announces Port Security Funding

Georgia Ports Authority Receives $323,500 in Federal Funding to Protect Georgia 's Ports from Terrorism

ATLANTA , GA - Governor Sonny Perdue today thanked President Bush and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge for awarding $323,500 in Port Security Grants to the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA). Over the past three years, the GPA has received $4.9 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"I want to thank President Bush, Secretary Ridge, and the entire Georgia delegation in Washington for the much needed port security funding that has allowed us to protect Georgia's coast from acts of terrorism and provide further security enhancements for our ports," said Governor Sonny Perdue.

"The funding we have received from the Department of Homeland Security has helped us improve nearly every aspect of our security programs, including access controls, electronic perimeter monitoring, fencing and lighting," said Doug J. Marchand, GPA's Executive Director.

The majority of the latest round of funding will go towards terminal security lighting improvements. This will allow the GPA to improve safety and security within restricted areas and will reduce vulnerabilities at Garden City Terminal and Ocean Terminal.

These funds are being made available from the federal FY04 budget from the Transportation Security Administration, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security.  The program is designed to improve dockside and perimeter security, which is vital to securing our critical national seaports.