August 1, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that six nonprofit organizations in Wayne County will receive over $500,000 to enhance security at their facilities.  The funding, made available to the state of Michigan by the U.S Department of Homeland Security as part of the Fiscal Year 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program, will ensure that organizations who serve the community will be able to better protect themselves from terrorist threats.

“The recent terror attacks in London and Egypt remind us that we must remain vigilant against all threats,” said Granholm.  “These grants will help fund critical upgrades at hospitals, community centers and service organizations where people gather to receive needed services.”

The organizations receiving funding include Detroit Receiving Hospital and University Health Center ($81,970); Abayomi Community Development Corporation ($83,810); Henry Ford Hospital ($87,562); the Arab-American and Chaldean Council ($87,562); St. John Health ($87,562) and Focus: HOPE ($87,562).

 “These funds will go a long way to ease the financial burden of improving security at organizations responsible for helping people on a daily basis,” said Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, director of the MSP and State Director of Homeland Security.  “This will be welcome assistance because no organization is immune from the threat of terrorism, and safeguarding against it is costly, but necessary.” 

The grant applications from these organizations were approved by a review panel consisting of personnel from the Michigan State Police (MSP), the city of Detroit and Wayne County.  Over the next year, officials from the MSP Emergency Management Division will work closely with these organizations to ensure implementation of approved security measures at their facilities.