St. Lawrence County will get a $185,000 federal grant to “support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness activities,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

The money will be used to pay for “regional preparedness efforts, including planning, organization, and training activities that are critical to sustaining and improving community prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities,” according to Cuomo.

The funds come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its Homeland Security Grant Program.

The homeland security grants support exercises and training for first responders, equipment purchases, and other capabilities. Federal guidelines require that 25 percent of each county’s total award be directed toward law enforcement terrorism prevention activities, Cuomo said.

"New York continues to be a target for terrorism, and we must ensure there is adequate funding to prepare, plan and prevent," Cuomo said. "This funding will help defend the state against those who wish to do harm and will support our first responders who are called upon when emergency strikes. Keeping New Yorkers safe is the top priority, and through these programs and exercises we will continue to work toward this goal."

“These grants will go a long way to help protect North Country families,” Rep. Elise Stefanik said. “Ensuring that our community is properly prepared in the event of an emergency is critical and I am pleased to see this important funding coming to New York’s 21st district.”