<p>U.S. Department of Homeland Security is releasing $150 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for port security, stating that the stimulus grants &ldquo;will enhance the resiliency of our critical infrastructure and improve our emergency response capabilities by supporting risk-based initiatives integral to our national security.&rdquo; Kurt Nagle, president and CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), said the stimulus grant funds will further enhance the ability of America&rsquo;s seaports to protect their critical infrastructure while creating jobs and stimulating the economy at a time when the nation needs it. &ldquo;As our lifeline to world trade and part of our nation&rsquo;s &lsquo;water borders,&rsquo; seaports must be secure,&rdquo; Nagle said. &ldquo;These grants help protect America&rsquo;s ports as well as provide jobs and aid our economic recovery.&rdquo;</p>
<p><br />The grants will be used for improvements at 103 U.S. ports, including $1 million for the Port of San Diego. It will be used in San Diego toward the ongoing effort to provide a fiber optics communications network that will ultimately ring the entire harbor of San Diego Bay. In the past seven years, the Port of San Diego has received more than $30 million in security grant funding. The money has been used to enhance physical security, improve surveillance capabilities, expand communications and strengthen security infrastructure throughout the port. San Diego port officials are working to secure additional grant funding to complete the fiber optic ring and continue enhancements to the security and safety of the region. For more information, visit www.aapa-ports.org &nbsp;or www.portofsandiego.org.</p>