Gov. Walz Recommends Funds for New State Emergency Operations Center

​

When disaster strikes, Minnesotans depend on the state and its resources to effectively and efficiently respond and recover. That’s why Gov. Tim Walz is recommending $29.545 million as part of his bonding package to acquire land, design, develop, construct, and equip a new State Emergency Operations Center and Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) office.

Over the past two years, HSEM and its public safety partners have responded to 18 state disaster declarations and 6 federal disaster declarations across Minnesota. Having an adequate facility to coordinate this response and recovery work is essential to ensuring the safety of all Minnesotans in an emergency.

Visit the governor's Build One MN page to learn more about the bonding packages and the proposal for the new State Emergency Operations.

State Disasters Declared for Fall 2019 Severe Weather

Five northwest Minnesota counties and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will receive state disaster aid following two recent disaster declarations.

Gov. Tim Walz authorized the use of the state disaster assistance contingency account (DACA) to reimburse Carlton, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Marshall and Roseau counties for $1.3 million in eligible response and recovery costs associated with heavy rains and flooding in September and October, which damaged roads and forced farmers to abandon their harvest.  The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reported more than $253,000 in verified damages to roads and marinas after a strong storm with heavy rain and hurricane force winds swept the lake. The tribe will also be reimbursed for response, repair and recovery costs.

The DACA will cover 75 percent of the total costs, with the counties covering the remaining 25 percent. Read Gov. Walz’s news release here.

Two Northeast Minnesota Counties Receive State Disaster Aid

​Gov. Tim Walz has authorized the use of the State Disaster Assistance Contingency Account (DACA) following an autumn storm that caused more than $160,000 in Cass and Itasca counties.

Gale force winds and heavy rain moved across the area on October 21, toppling trees and damaging coop electrical infrastructure and roads.

The counties will now be reimbursed for response and recovery costs related to the incident. The DACA will cover 75 percent of the total, with the counties covering the remaining 25 percent. This is the sixth state disaster declaration of 2019.

Read Gov. Walz’s news release here.

Religious Organizations and Non-profits Learn About Security Grants

Minnesota’s religious and non-profit organizations are placing a greater emphasis on security as they work to keep people safe. That’s why representatives from all backgrounds recently gathered to learn about federal and state grants that would help them step up their security practices. HSEM and DPS leaders met with Muslim, Jewish and Christian-affiliated leaders to listen to their security concerns, review security trends, and answer questions about grant funding opportunities.

HSEM oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Non-Profit Security Grant (NPSG) Program. The funding provides support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations that are at high risk of attack.
Learn more about HSEM grant programs.