Representative Angie Craig Secures Critical Funding for Goodhue County Sheriff's Office

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig helped the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office secure $533,885 in funding from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase a Mobile Command and Communications Vehicle (MCCV). In May, Representative Craig submitted a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), urging the agency to support the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office's Port Security Grant Program application and help secure these funds.

"Today, I was thrilled to learn that the Department of Homeland Security approved over $500,000 in funding for the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office," said Representative Craig. "With this grant, the Sheriff's Office will be able to purchase a new Mobile Command and Communications Vehicle and greatly expand their capacity to effectively and quickly respond to emergency situations at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Lake Byllesby Dam and across Goodhue County. Having worked closely with Sheriff Kelly to secure these funds, I know they will certainly be put to great use right here in the Second District."

The funding will allow the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office to purchase a Mobile Command and Communications Vehicle (MCCV). The office has identified the need to replace the existing mobile command trailer, which is now 17 years old. To deploy, the trailer requires a one-ton truck and is incompatible with modern technology – making it unreliable and unusable for the department. The funding from the Port Security Grant will allow the office to purchase a much-needed new vehicle to ensure the office is able to effectively respond to emergencies and other public safety concerns across Goodhue County.

In Congress, Representative Craig has made it a priority to ensure that local police departments have the funding they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Earlier this week, the bipartisan Public Safety Officer Support Act, legislation that Representative Craig helped introduce and pass after hearing the story of South St. Paul Police Sergeant Cory Slifko, was signed into law. Additionally, she has worked hand-in-hand with local law enforcement leaders to draft and submit applications for federal grant dollars to support hiring, equipment and technology programs – including police departments in South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Burnsville and Inver Grove Heights.

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