Congressman Rubén Hinojosa recently announced that Refugio County will receive $530,901 of $2,808,419 in 2009 Operation Stonegarden grants.

The grants were awarded to counties in Deep South Texas to enhance the capabilities of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to jointly secure U.S. borders and territories.

A total of $60,000,000 is being awarded nationally, with $16,719,377 allocated to Texas. Operation Stonegarden is a grant program administered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Department of Homeland Security. (DHS)

“I want to thank Secretary Janet Napolitano and the Department of Homeland Security for recognizing the need these resources will meet in Deep South Texas,” Hinojosa said. “The communities in South Texas and along the U.S.-Mexico border will benefit from these funds as they help improve our border security.”

Secretary Napolitano said Operation Stonegarden grants direct critical funding to state, local and tribal law enforcement operations across the country.

“I am proud to announce that the 2009 funding provides additional flexibility to ensure that our first responders are equipped with the resources they need to confront the complex and dynamic challenges that exist along our borders,” Napolitano said.

The 2009 allocations reflect President Obama’s increased emphasis on the Southwest border in response to cartel violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a release by FEMA.

Fiscal year 2009 Operation Stonegarden funds will be used for additional law enforcement personnel, overtime, travel and other related costs in order to further increase our presence along the borders.