Nearly $20 million in federal homeland security funds will be made available to the state of New Jersey, federal officials announced today.  The announcement follows weeks of prodding by the state’s Congressional delegation, including a meeting last week with Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson.

    “The decision to include the state of New Jersey as well as the ‘Newark Metropolitan Area’ for discretionary funding from the US Department of Homeland Security is a first step in recognizing that New Jersey is more than a suburb of New York and qualifies for federal support to protect our assets,” said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4) the Dean of the New Jersey Delegation.

    “In the last few weeks our state has been granted or notified to apply for a total of $68 million in federal support primarily for local responders who coordinate through the state.  I think we have succeeded in raising our state’s profile, and I believe that the federal government will continue supporting NJ's domestic preparedness plans as we continue to demonstrate their effectiveness in enhancing public safety,” Smith added.

    “With this announcement, the Department of Homeland Security has finally recognized that the security of New York City and New Jersey are inextricably linked.  We are connected by roads, tunnels, bridges, ferries, trains, seaports, and airports, all of which deserve protection,” said Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), New Jersey's senior member on the Appropriations Committee.

    “New Jersey is a ‘high-threat, high density area’ worthy of federal support.  We will continue to work with Secretary Ridge to ensure that New Jersey gets its full share of federal funds for protection of critical infrastructure,” Frelinghuysen added.

    The money made available through the state is as follows: $11.8 million to enhance security and first-responder capabilities in the Newark Metropolitan Area, which is defined as contiguous counties and mutual aid partners of Newark; $4.1 million directly to the State for a radiological defense system; $2.3 million for New Jersey transit to enhance security for transportation modes.

    Additional money is expected to be made available to the New York/New Jersey Port Authority for security enhancements of their assets as well.