COLUMBUS: Sharply reduced Homeland Security funding will force Ohio’s counties to compete for federal dollars this year.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that Ohio will share $5.6 million from the State Homeland Security Program. That’s down from $20 million allotted to Ohio in 2011 and nearly $41 million in 2010.
Officials say some of Ohio’s 88 counties may not receive any of the funding this year.
Columbus and Toledo lost their funding last year from federal grants reserved for high-threat urban areas. Cleveland and Cincinnati were cut from that part of the funding this year.
Federal homeland security money was divided among all counties when more funds were available. A state official says the reduced funding forced Ohio to change its method of handling the program.
