For Immediate Release

PORT OF BEAUMONT AWARDED PORT SECURITY FUNDS

 The Port of Beaumont will receive $1,197,106 in federal funding for port security under grants announced today by Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.

 The grants come on the heels of an announcement last month that the port will receive $5.6 million in security funding from the Department of Homeland Security.  The port in 2002 received $560,000 in the department’s first round of port security grants.

 The funding announced Thursday came from two sources, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP.)  According to Chris Fisher, Executive Director of the Port of Beaumont, the port will receive $863,106 from the TSA and another $334,000 from the OEP.

 The TSA grant was the second round of port security grants announced by the agency in the wake of increased terrorist threats after the events of September 11, 2001.  The OEP grant was also based on the second round grant applications. 

The port used funds received in the first round to improve security lighting and camera monitoring of its facilities.  This award includes funding for specific security projects including advanced intrusion monitoring systems, command/control and communications centers and further camera surveillance system improvements.

C. A. “Pete” Shelton, President of the port board of commissioners, said he is pleased that the Port of Beaumont was selected to receive the federal money to improve port security and complemented the efforts of all involved in obtaining this award.

“The terrorist activities that have taken place in the last few years, and the strategic role we play in our nation’s defense, have placed new security requirements on the Port of Beaumont,” Shelton said.  “These grants will help us meet the needs for port security equipment and personnel.”

In a speech on the subject of port security in Newark, NJ Thursday, Gov. Ridge announced the winners of $170 million in TSA port security grants, $75 million from the ODP, and $30 million under a program called Operation Safe Commerce.

The $5.6 million awarded to the Port of Beaumont in May through the Department of Homeland Security is expected to be used for secure port rail and road access, security fencing and other projects.

For more information, contact Port of Beaumont, 409/835-5367

top