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Gov. Blunt Announces $2.5 Million in Federal Homeland Security Grants



JEFFERSON CITY, April 8, 2005—Gov. Matt Blunt announced this week that Missouri will receive nearly $2.5 million in Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP) grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).



The program is designed to reduce vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure and key resource sites by extending the protected area around the site into the surrounding community and supporting the prevention and preparedness efforts of local first responders.



Missouri applied for the grant by submitting a purchasing plan to the DHS Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP). As the state receives the grant, the money is disbursed to local jurisdictions for purchase of specific items on ODP’s approved equipment list and also in Missouri’s purchasing plan.



Gov. Blunt and homeland security director Michael Chapman agree the funding is critical in the endeavor to keep Missourians safe.



“The grant will allow us to better protect Missouri’s critical infrastructure and key resource sites such as state government buildings and facilities, financial centers, manufacturing plants, power plants, transportation systems, shopping malls, and venues for sports and cultural event,” Blunt said. “Receiving federal funds to take these precautionary steps allows us to spend funds on the facilities themselves or other homeland security efforts.”



According to Chapman, “Local law enforcement and first responders are on the front lines preventing, defending against, and mitigating the impacts of terrorist attacks in our state. The Buffer Zone Protection Program aims to increase the general protective capacity and preparedness of law enforcement and first responders in communities surrounding these sites.”