L.I. Homeland Security Lab to Get $1M in Federal Funding

U.S. Rep. Steve Israel announces $1 million in federal funding for homeland security technology initiative on Long Island at the Long Island Forum for Technology in Bethpage on Thursday, July 8, 2010. Photo by: Amanda Marzullo

The Morelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage, a new public-private research and development lab, showed off some of its wares Thursday as one of Long Island’s congressional representatives announced that the center is expected to get an infusion of federal funding that will help bring on more researchers.

U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) said $1 million is earmarked for the center in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The funds will create up to 15 jobs at the center’s Homeland Security Research, Development and Manufacturing Consortium, which aims to adapt next-generation technologies to be used by first responders in case of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.

The 90,000-square foot center would also double as a “command and control” hub in the event of a major disaster in New York.

Click here to read the rest of the article and view photos from the conference.