The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security has released their list of grant awardees for 2016 federal fiscal year. Nearly $2.7 million will be administered to city and county governments, fire protection districts, area development districts, and public universities to purchase first responder equipment, communications equipment, and critical infrastructure protection.

Governor Matt Bevin said “My greatest responsibility as governor is to ensure our citizens and resources are protected from all threats, including natural and man-made disasters, crime, and terrorism. To accomplish our mission, it is vital that homeland security grants are allocated through a bipartisan, objective process that maximizes security and safety throughout the Commonwealth.”

The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security received applications requesting $15 million, more than five times the available funds. The evaluation process, prioritizing hundreds of requests for million in funding, is “an especially challenging process when ever-shrinking resources conflict with ever-increasing demands,” according to KOHS Executive Director John Holiday. He said “I wish we could offer funding to every county and city within the Commonwealth. Each is dealing with their own financial challenges. However, we must apply critical thinking and apply a regional approach to allocate money based on utmost need and greatest public safety impact.”

Among the list of 112 recipients were Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, and Pike counties. Magoffin received funding for an alert system, with Floyd, Johnson , and Pike awarded grants for first responder equipment, such as search and rescue and personal protective equipment.