PENSACOLA, Fla. – FEMA released $1.69 million this week for the Port of Pensacola to begin homeland security improvements.
The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce applied for the funding in a 2008 grant for homeland security projects at the Port of Pensacola including additional security, infrastructure enhancements and joint emergency management training for first responders. The enhancements will allow for the fire administration building to serve as the city’s Emergency Operation Center.
The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the fiduciary agent for the port security grant program through the Department of Homeland Security. The grant program encompasses the port area and all homeland security interests in Escambia County with water access.
Before projects are submitted to FEMA, they must be approved by the captain of the port of the Coast Guard in Mobile, Ala., who governs the area from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Bay County, Fla.
“This has been a long and involved process from initial application through project review, and we’re pleased to see the funds released to the Port of Pensacola,” said Meredith Robinson, chief operating officer of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. “For the past two years, we’ve worked with Glenda White, manager of operations and security for the Port of Pensacola, Gulf Power, port tenants, local and state law enforcement and other first responder entities to pursue this funding.”
FEMA awarded the Port of Pensacola a $1.63 million grant in 2009, which will be released at a later date. Additionally, the Chamber and the Port submitted its 2010 application for a $1 million grant last week.
“The City is appreciative of the Chamber’s instrumental role in facilitating access to more than $3 million in FEMA funding for the Port of Pensacola,” said Mayor Mike Wiggins of the City of Pensacola.
In the past few years, the Chamber has facilitated a total of $6 million in grant funding for community and economic development projects. |
