TRENTON, N.J. -- The state on Monday announced the release of $21.7 million in federal homeland security funding to New Jersey counties.
The money went to all 21 of the state's counties and will pay for additional first responder equipment, more security at potential terrorist targets, development of buffer zone protection plans around critical facilities, security-related training and exercises, and other homeland security initiatives.
Essex County, at $2,072,480, and Hudson County, at $2,007,607, received the most funding.
An additional $8 million is being spent on statewide programs and services, including a $1.5 million competitive grant program to foster regional planning and preparedness efforts.
"We are making sure every dime awarded to New Jersey is spent," said acting Gov. Richard J. Codey, who repeated his complaint that the state isn't receiving its fair share of homeland security dollars.
New Jersey is receiving $36.6 million is fiscal 2005 from the federal Department of Homeland Security, down from $55.4 million the previous year.
The state itself has spent $572 million of its own funds on homeland security efforts since January 2002.
