News of a 4.3% cut to the state’s annual allotment of homeland security funding is not typically a cause for celebration. However, the Department of Homeland Security announced late yesterday that Wisconsin is one of just seven states and territories to be awarded a higher amount of homeland security funding than the state’s federally-determined “target allocation”. These targets are set by DHS as a guide for what each state can expect to receive in a given year. In 2009, Wisconsin will receive $15.35 million, $685,000 less than last year but $72,000 more than projected.
The state will receive $10,286,500 through the Homeland Security Grant Program, $178,500 more than expected, for communications improvements, training and eight other investment justifications. The city of Milwaukee and five surrounding counties will receive $4,159,850 — slightly less than expected — for security measures unique to the metro region. The state will also receive $911,794 for medical training and supply programs in Milwaukee and Dane Counties and for the Citizen Corps program.
The increased award above the target allocation is likely due to the strength of the state’s application, which consistently ranks among the best in the nation. Ninety percent of homeland security funding is awarded based on an undisclosed risk formula. The remaining ten percent is awarded based on the strength of each state’s application.
Stay tuned for future homeland security funding opportunities announced on the OJA website and through Email Alerts.