Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) today announced a $1.677 million federal grant for the City of Panama City to enhance port security at Port Panama City.

The federal funding was provided in the Port Security Grant Program included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act passed by Congress last year.

“Port Panama City is a major economic contributor to our local economy as well as to the entire southeastern United States, and it is imperative that we continue our efforts to protect the port, the people, and the commerce,” said Congressman Boyd. “This funding will provide the City of Panama City the opportunity to strengthen security around Port Panama City so that they can continue transporting goods in and out of our port safely.”

The Port Security Grant Program emphasizes port-wide planning; enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness; training and exercises; and enhancing prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities in the port environment.