To enhance border security operations supporting Operation Lone Star (OLS), Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that $100 million in grant funding is available as part of appropriations passed under House Bill 9 during the second special session of the 87th Legislature. The OLS Grant Program will assist local law enforcement, jail administrators, medical examiners and court administration officials in the execution of coordinated border security operations.
The Governor’s Public Safety Office (PSO) is responsible for administering the OLS Grant Program, which is accepting applications through Nov. 1. Minimum grants begin at $5,000 with no maximum and no local match requirement.
Applicants must access the Office of the Governor’s eGrants grant management website to apply for funding. Additional requirements are included within the online application.
PSO staff will review applications in consultation with the Governor’s Task Force on Border and Homeland Security and other subject-matter experts appointed by the PSO’s executive director. However, the Office of the Governor will consider rankings along with other factors and will make all final funding decisions.
Gov. Abbott originally issued a disaster declaration in late May for 34 counties along the border, later revising the declaration in late June to include only the 28 counties that declared a local disaster and agreed to partner with the state on its border security efforts.
On Aug. 30, Abbott again revised his disaster declaration to include 43 Texas counties in response to the ongoing border crisis to include counties in South Texas.
Further information relating to OLS can be found on TAC’s Legislative grant opportunites page. Applicants can also contact PSO by emailing egrants@gov.texas.gov or calling (512) 463-1919.
For more information on this article and grant opportunities, please contact Aurora Flores or Zelma Smith.