One day after the state’s Congressional delegation pressed a top Homeland Security official to provide funding help to New Jersey, members of the delegation announced that the state has received a $14.22 million formula grant to help fund its growing security obligations.

    The funds, awarded to the state’s Department of Law and Public Safety, will help local responders in New Jersey purchase emergency equipment, develop crisis response plans, train personnel, and help cover the costs associated with overtime duty, among other things.

    The money, which is based on funding formulas, comes from funds made available to the states through the Office of Domestic Preparedness in FY 03.  The state was notified earlier this year and encouraged to submit an application package for the $14.2.

    “While New Jersey still needs substantially more assistance, news of this grant is a good start,” Congressman Chris Smith said.  “Yesterday, we succeeded in making our case that NJ has several critical assets within our boarders that the federal government must help safeguard.  We will continue to push for support from formula based programs like this as well as the discretionary funds to help protect our high-risk, high population area."

    Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) said, “This is critically needed funding for the state of New Jersey and I appreciated Secretary (Tom) Ridge’s efforts to expedite its delivery.  New Jersey must receive the strongest federal support and I will continue doing everything in my power to ensure the needs of our state are addressed.”

    Added Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2): “New Jersey’s homeland security needs are many and very diverse due to our location; and I am very pleased these funds have been made available to help secure our state.  I will continue to safeguard our state’s citizens and infrastructure from the threat of terrorism.”

    Next week, the Department of Homeland Security is expected to announce its plans for allocating $700 million in discretionary funding it received from Congress in April to help high-risk, high-population, and critical infrastructure jurisdictions like New Jersey.  Smith, Frelinghuysen, and LoBiondo all expressed optimism after meeting with Hutchinson that the state will receive additional support through these funds.