New York Gets $140M to Fight Terrorism and Disasters — Here’s What It Means for Upstate

Governor Hochul’s federal security funding puts real money into Central New York and the Mohawk Valley’s first responders and emergency managers.

 New York Secures Nearly $140 Million to Bolster Counterterrorism and Emergency Readiness

When danger comes, whether from a terrorist attack, a catastrophic flood, or a cyberattack on critical infrastructure, the people of Utica and the Mohawk Valley depend on local first responders who are trained, equipped, and ready. That readiness just got a serious boost. Governor Kathy Hochul announced on June 10, 2026, that nearly $140 million in federal funding is flowing into New York State to strengthen counterterrorism and emergency preparedness from Long Island to the North Country. For Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, that is not just a headline. It is real money, real training, and real protection.

What Is the Money and Where Does It Come From?

The funding is administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under its FY 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program and the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) manages how the money is distributed in coordination with local partners.

The nearly $140 million breaks down into four key programs:

• State Homeland Security Program (SHSP): $38.2 million distributed to counties statewide for terrorism prevention, protection, response, and recovery

• Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI): $92.2 million directed to the New York City metropolitan region to sustain critical anti-terrorism programs

• Operation Stonegarden: $2.7 million to strengthen coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement along New York’s northern border

• Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG): $6.6 million to county emergency management agencies for all-hazards readiness and operational planning

Why This Matters Right Now

The announcement comes as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a sobering milestone that reminds every New Yorker what is at stake when preparedness fails.

“As we near the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks, New York remains the top terror target in the world,” said Representative Andrew Garbarino, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security. “DHS’s counterterrorism and preparedness grants are essential to protecting communities from these evolving threats.”

The threats in 2026 are not the same as they were in 2001. Cybersecurity attacks on power grids and water systems, domestic extremism, and increasingly severe weather events have all expanded the definition of what “emergency preparedness” must include. This funding covers all of it.

“Threat landscapes are constantly evolving, and it is vital that our communities are prepared for anything that may come their way,” Governor Hochul said. “With this funding, we’re making sure our partners at every level of government have the training and resources needed to keep New Yorkers safe.”

What Upstate New York and the Mohawk Valley Receive

This is where the story hits home for readers of the Utica Phoenix. Several Mohawk Valley and Central New York counties are direct beneficiaries of this funding round.

State Homeland Security Program Awards

Emergency Management Performance Grant Awards

That means Oneida County alone is receiving more than $219,000 in combined funding to support its emergency management infrastructure and homeland security capabilities.

Representative John W. Mannion, who represents Central New York and the Mohawk Valley in Congress, made clear this investment is personal to his district.

“First responders, law enforcement, emergency managers, and state and local government need resources, training, and equipment to prepare for any contingency and keep our communities safe,” Mannion said. “This federal funding strengthens counterterrorism readiness, disaster response, and emergency preparedness across New York, including in all five counties of NY-22. I’ll keep working with Governor Hochul and federal and local partners to ensure Central New York and the Mohawk Valley have the tools they need to prevent, respond, and recover from disasters and emergencies.”

What Will the Money Actually Do?

The funding is not just for purchasing equipment. It supports a broad range of preparedness activities that directly affect how safe communities are in the event of a crisis. Under the Emergency Management Performance Grant, county agencies can use funds for:

• Management and administration of emergency operations

• Strategic planning and exercises

• Hiring and retaining Emergency Management Agency staff

• Purchasing and upgrading equipment

• Training programs for first responders

• Construction and renovation of Emergency Operations Centers

• Maintaining and improving GIS mapping and interoperable communications systems

For a region like the Mohawk Valley, which has faced flooding, severe winter storms, and the ongoing challenges of rural emergency response, this last point is critical. Interoperable communications, meaning the ability for police, fire, EMS, and county emergency managers to talk to each other during a crisis, has historically been one of the most underfunded gaps in regional preparedness.

The Northern Border Dimension

Central New York sits in a strategically important position, not far from the Canadian border and along major transportation corridors. The Operation Stonegarden grants specifically target counties that manage northern border security, with over $2.6 million going to counties like Jefferson ($325,000), Clinton ($250,000), St. Lawrence ($290,000), and Franklin ($280,000).

“Western New York sits on an international border and serves as a critical transportation and economic corridor, making these investments especially important,” said Representative Tim Kennedy. That same logic applies to much of Upstate New York, where proximity to Canada means local law enforcement often works hand in hand with federal border protection agencies.

A Statewide Investment That Includes Every County

One of the most important aspects of this funding package is its reach. Unlike some federal programs that concentrate resources in New York City, the State Homeland Security Program distributes dollars to all 62 counties. Even the state’s most rural counties, like Hamilton ($26,790) and Yates ($21,433), receive a share.

Senator Chuck Schumer, a longtime advocate for FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, called the investment a win for the entire state.

“From Buffalo to Long Island, nearly $140 million in federal funding is being invested to ensure that communities across New York are prepared to prevent and respond to natural emergencies and security threats,” Schumer said. “I’ve long fought to boost funding for FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program so communities could prepare for whatever emergencies might come our way.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand echoed that sentiment. “Equipping New York communities with the resources needed to respond to emergencies is crucial to saving lives. This $140 million will support law enforcement and first responders in their critical work.”

DHSES: The Agency Connecting Funding to Community Safety

The state agency behind this work, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), coordinates the distribution and oversight of all these grants in close partnership with local stakeholders.

Commissioner Terry O’Leary put the mission in plain terms.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe from all threats is our top priority and this commitment from our federal partners in fighting terrorism is critical when it comes to the State’s preparedness capabilities,” O’Leary said. “These grants help support our state agencies and local partners by ensuring law enforcement and first responders have the resources, training, and equipment they need to prevent harm and keep us all safe.”

New Yorkers can also take a personal step toward emergency readiness. DHSES offers a free emergency alert text service. Text your county or borough of residence to 333111 to receive real-time emergency and weather alerts directly to your phone.

Preparedness Is a Community Responsibility

Federal dollars and state coordination are only part of the equation. True community safety requires residents, businesses, schools, and local governments working together. This funding creates the backbone, but it is the everyday actions of a prepared community that determine how well any region weathers a crisis.

For the Utica Phoenix community and all of Oneida County, this announcement is a reminder that the work of keeping our neighborhoods safe is ongoing, evolving, and worth every dollar invested. As the threats of the 21st century continue to grow more complex, the counties of the Mohawk Valley will be better positioned to face them with proper training, updated equipment, and stronger coordination across every level of government.

Now the question is whether local officials use these resources wisely and transparently. Residents have every right to ask their county emergency management offices how these dollars are being spent and what tangible improvements are being made to keep their communities safe.