Funding, numbers of state fusion centers uncertain.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew

SO FAR, THERE IS NO congressional mandate for state or local agencies to organize intelligence fusion centers such as the one found in Maryland. There are also no guarantees that the federal grants helping fund such centers will last.

Departments of Homeland Security and Justice grants have helped fund many of the centers. The steadiness and duration of the grants, however, will be subject to congressional budget pressures. DHS' contributions have amounted to $380 million so far. The National Governors Association, in an issue brief, warned that states need to "identify and allocate" early in the organization process state funding sources that will keep the centers operating.

"As with any government endeavor, the major obstacle to setting up and operating an intelligence fusion center is money," the NGA said.

Because state, regional and local fusion centers are voluntary endeavors, it varies how they are funded, staffed and where they are located.

The Justice Department released 104 pages of guidelines, which states are "encouraged" to follow. In it, federal funds are described as "seed money," and it also warns that centers need to identify funding sources early on.

As is often the case with federal grants, there are rules to follow on how the money can be spent. One sticking point is a rule preventing DHS grants to hire intelligence analysts, the NGA paper notes. Some states have circumvented this by using less restrictive Justice Department grants.

Maryland's Coordination and Analysis Center, for example, receives no state funding. Grants pay for the operating costs of about $500,000. The FBI pays the $300,000 per year needed to lease the office space. The agencies assigning personnel to the center pay...