.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that Congress has approved $10 million for the Kentucky-based National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS). NIHS, with the collaboration of Kentucky universities and colleges, develops next generation security solutions at the behest of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate. These funds were approved by both the House and Senate as part of the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which was signed into law this week by the President.

“The threat of terrorism is real and we need to do all we can to protect our homeland. Continuing research is vital in these uncertain times so that we can address our security risks and vulnerabilities,” said Rogers. “This funding will allow NIHS to invest in the technology and research that we need to keep our communities and families safe and out of harms way. NIHS goes beyond just protecting our country from terrorist attacks -- it also is working on key research that can better prepare our local emergency workers to respond to natural disasters right here in Kentucky.”

The non-profit NIHS performs a critical partnering role with the Science and Technology Directorate of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Directorate identifies the nation’s security technology needs, and NIHS works with Kentucky’s academic community to develop and commercialize solutions for use in the private sector. The Kentucky Homeland Security University Consortium, founded in 2004 along with NIHS, provides the research assets for this initiative. Consortium members are Eastern Kentucky University, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University. Broadening the outreach to the statewide academic community, members of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities work with the consortium as well.

Through his role as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Rogers supports important initiatives for the Fifth Congressional District.