WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) today announced $12,835,255 in grants to local organizations to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks.  A member of the Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Himes is committed to protecting Southwest Connecticut from the fear and consequences of terrorism.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what we can do to prevent a tragedy like 9/11 from ever happening again,” said Congressman Himes. “This funding is critical to keeping terrorist activity at bay and protecting ourselves if there ever is another attack.”

The funding is broken into two categories: funding for the greater Bridgeport area and state-wide projects.

Bridgeport-area grants include:
• $2,807,350 for the Urban Areas Security Initiative: Funding to select high-threat, high-density urban areas to assist them in building enhanced and sustainable capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.
• $273,038 for the Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program: Grants to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations at high risk of terrorist attack in high-risk urban areas.

State-wide grants include:
• $9,545,500 for the State Homeland Security Program: Supports the implementation of State Homeland Security Strategies to address the identified planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.
• $209,367 for the Citizen Corps Program: The Citizen Corps Program supports activities involving citizens in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery.

For more information on FEMA grants, please see www.fema.gov/grants.