On February 27, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced more than $2 billion in funding for eight Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 preparedness grant programs. These grant programs provide critical funding to help state and local governments to prepare for, protect against and respond to major disasters and other emergencies.

Of the $2 billion announced, $1.12 billion will be distributed through three individual grant programs – the State Homeland Security Program, Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG), which are housed under the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). $615 million from for the three individual grant programs will be distributed through UASI to enhance regional preparedness and capabilities in high-threat, high-density areas. Counties have long advocated for UASI funding to flow to at least 35 urban areas annually and were excited to see 40 jurisdictions identified in FY 2023. More information on the application process can be found here.

Other grants relevant to counties include:

• Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program: Provides $355.1 million to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management agencies in obtaining the resources required to support the National Preparedness Goal’s associated mission areas and core capabilities to build a culture of preparedness. Counties can apply for grants from their State Administering Agency (SAA) or Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
• Port Security Grant Program: Provides $100 million to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve port-wide maritime security risk management, and maintain or re-establish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency capabilities. Counties can directly apply here by May 18, 2023.
• Transit Security Grant Program: Provides $93 million to owners and operators of public transit systems (including counties), to protect critical surface transportation and the traveling public from acts of terrorism and to increase the resilience of transit infrastructure. Counties can directly apply here by May 18, 2023.

For more information on how to apply and on the programs themselves, counties can read FEMA’s Grant Preparedness Manual. NACo will notify counties of any webinars or additional resources to help with the application process once they become available.