The Corpus Christi area Grant SubCommittee of the South Texas Area Maritime Security Committee (STAMSC) for U.S. Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi announced today that applications are now being accepted for over $7.1 million in FY 2009 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) funds.

The PSGP is one of five grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security Infrastructure Protection Program (IPP). The vast bulk of America’s critical infrastructure is owned and/or operated by states, local organizations and the private sector. The funds provided by the PSGP are primarily intended to support the work of increasing port-wide risk management, enhanced domain awareness capabilities through development and implementation of a port-wide Risk Management/ Mitigation and Business Continuity/Resumption of Trade plan to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from attacks involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other non-conventional weapons, as well as training and exercises.

The Strategic Risk Mitigation Plan guides investments for security related projects for the next five years. The Committee is poised to evaluate projects proposed by local maritime stakeholders that will address the region’s security needs.

The Port of Corpus Christi Authority, which serves as Fiduciary Agent to the STAMSC, has established a web site containing specific federal and local guidance for the grant program.

Applications are due by September 17, 2010.