Southeast Texas ports and cities have received over $5.9 million in federal funding to support security projects throughout the region.
The grants were awarded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Port Security Grant Program (PSGP).
The Port of Beaumont was recently awarded $127,043 in federal funding through the program, which it plans to use to supplement two major security projects that will upgrade video surveillance capabilities and enhance cyber-security.
“Upgrading and enhancing our security capabilities on a regular basis ensures we are using the best technology available to keep our port safe,” Director of Facilities, Security and Emergency Management Randal Ogrydziak said in a statement.
In total, the 2021 Port Security Grant Program awarded $100 million to 288 eligible applicants including port authorities, facility operators and state and local government agencies.
Programs qualified for funding include those that help protect port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve port-wide maritime security risk management and maintain or reestablish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency efforts.
This year, Southeast Texas was the beneficiary of eight PSGP grants.
The city of Beaumont received the largest grant, just over $2.5 million. It was followed by the Port of Port Arthur Navigation District at $2.01 million and Jefferson County at $477,996.
jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com
twitter.com/jd_journalism
