Gov. Gregoire, Major General Lowenberg announce recovery funding for security upgrades at Spokane International

For Immediate Release: July 29, 2009

SPOKANE � Gov. Chris Gregoire with Major General Timothy J. Lowenberg announced today American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for the installation of new closed circuit television systems at Spokane International Airport.

�Security is of paramount importance for Washington state,� said Gregoire. �This recovery funding will provide critical video surveillance system upgrades for Spokane International and result in local jobs and a boost to the economy.�

Eastern Washington�s largest airport will receive $1.1 million of the total $7.7 million that was available for national distribution.

Earlier this week, Gregoire hosted U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for a day-long series of meetings and site visits that were focused on U.S.-Canadian land and maritime border security, preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympics, immigration issues and protection of the cyber domain.

�Washington state is at the forefront of several important federal-state security initiatives,� said Lowenberg �These additional closed circuit surveillance systems are an integral part of airport security operations, providing a high level of threat detection and enhancing emergency response and risk mitigation.�

CCTV technology is used at hundreds of airports across the country. The Transportation Security Administration has collaborated with 62 airports nationwide to expand these sophisticated and integrated security networks to increase safety for airport facilities and employees.

In awarding ARRA funds, DHS prioritizes shovel-ready projects that infuse resources into local economies quickly while meeting critical security needs.