Ruppersberger Joins O’Malley and Napolitano to Announce $510 Million for Port Security, Transit Security, and Fire House Construction

(Baltimore, MD)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) joined the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today to announce $510 million for port security, transit security, and fire house construction.  The funds were included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 

$6 million of that money will be heading to Maryland for port security at the Port of Baltimore and construction of a new fire house in Marley Station in Anne Arundel County.  The Port of Baltimore is one of Maryland’s biggest economic engines.  It supports approximately 120,000 jobs and generates $5.9 billion in wages, business revenue, and taxes.

“We must be vigilant as we work to protect the Port of Baltimore as well as the dozens of other ports across the country.  Our nation’s points are vital centers of trade and commerce.  Our nation is on the road to economic recovery, we can not let a situation at a port disrupt this comeback.  We must stay globally competitive while keeping our ports safe,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger. 

Congressman Ruppersberger serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Homeland Security Subcommittee.  He is also Chairman of the Technical and Tactical Intelligence Subcommittee and Chairman of the Congressional Port Security Caucus.  The Port of Baltimore is in Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District.

The announcement was made in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor today.  The recovery act will eventually create and save three to four million jobs, 60,000 of which will be right here in Maryland.  ARRA was signed into law February 17, 2009.  

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