Port of Charleston receives $8.7M grant to strengthen security

The South Carolina State Ports Authority will receive $8.7 million from the latest round of port security grants, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Monday.

This is the largest single award received by the SPA in six rounds of Port Security Grants. In total through the previous five rounds of grants, the SPA received $11.3 million, bringing total announced security grant funding to just over $20 million.

“To say we’re pleased is an understatement,” said Bernard S. Groseclose Jr., president and chief executive officer of the SPA. “South Carolina’s congressional delegation has been united behind port security. This latest award will put us further along the track to completing necessary security projects.

“Charleston is known for an aggressive security posture, while facilitating the free flow of commerce. That balance requires adequate funding and the right approach.”

The funding will be used for physical security enhancements, such as access control infrastructure, scanning equipment, surveillance systems and fencing.

In the current round, more than $168 million in federal grants was awarded to 51 port areas nationwide. The total federal funding requested topped $569 million by 268 applicants. In its application, the SPA requested $19.6 million in federal funds for port security projects to combine with a match by the port of $6.5 million.