Port Of Toledo receives more than $1.1 million for port security from FEMA

TOLEDO, Ohio, January 13, 2009 – FEMA announced that the Port of Toledo will receive over $1.1 million for security as part of the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). The PSGP is part of FEMA’s Department of Human Services transportation infrastructure security programs which are designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to protect critical infrastructure facilities and transit systems. The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will act as the fiduciary agent for the grant funds.

The PSGP is one of six different grant programs awarded. Together, these grants fund a range of preparedness activities, including strengthening infrastructure against explosive attacks, planning, equipment purchase, training, exercises, security management and administration costs.

The total funding awarded in fiscal year 2009 for the PSGP was more than $388 million and the PSGP provides grant funding to port areas for the protection of critical port infrastructure from terrorism. PSGP funds are primarily intended to assist ports in enhancing maritime domain awareness, enhancing risk management capabilities to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from attacks involving improvised explosive devices, weapons of mass destruction, and other non-conventional weapons, as well as training and exercises and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) implementation.

The Port of Toledo is designated as a Group II port and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will act as the fiduciary agent for the grant funds. Upon funding release by FEMA, the Port Authority will notify all facilities within the Port of Toledo that grant applications will be accepted. The applications will be reviewed, scored and ultimately awarded by the Toledo Area Maritime Security Committee.

Cleveland and Cincinnati were the only other major Ohio areas to receive PSGP funding.

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority’s business is transportation. That business is shaped by our mission to move people and cargo through the region while employing innovative finance programs to stimulate economic development. For more information, please visit www.toledoportauthority.org .