WASHINGTON – Senate Homeland Security Committee ranking member Sen. Susan Collins has announced that Maine is eligible to apply for approximately $10.8 million in Fiscal Year 2009 under grant programs administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

The grant programs include the State Homeland Security Grant Program, which provides funding to state and local governments for homeland security-related planning, training, equipment, and exercises. Maine is expected to receive more than $6 million under this program.

“This money will fund important prevention, protection, response, and recovery activities among first responders in our local communities,” Collins said in a press release.

In addition, the Maine Emergency Management Agency will receive more than $3 million in Emergency Management Performance Grant funding.

Under the Port Security Grant Program, Portland will receive more than $1 million, and other ports will be eligible for additional funding to be announced next year. Maine also will receive more than $145,000 under the Citizen Corps Program, $200,000 under the Buffer Zone Protection Program, and more than $240,000 under the Interoperable Emergency Communications Program.