Port Manatee has been awarded a security grant. The federal security grant, which totals just over $1 million will be used to bolster protection against cyber threats, upgrade the port’s wireless security network and complete a perimeter fencing project.

Port Manatee is a deep water seaport is located in the eastern Gulf of Mexico at the entrance to Tampa Bay in northern Manatee County, Florida.

The grant is under the Port Security Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.

This grant, supplemented by a port match of $351,947 to cover 25% of total costs, enables advancement of three projects: a comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessment and mitigation measures to ensure integrity of the port’s computer systems; fortifying them against potential attack; enhancements to the port’s wireless security network, including cameras and access control infrastructure; and completion of a project to provide 3.5 miles of fencing along the perimeter of port property.