Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced that the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) was awarded $22.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to administer Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants across Washington.

The Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Recovery funds will restore 16 state trooper positions that serve local drug task forces, retain or restore 56 local law enforcement and related jobs across the state.

Grants will be distributed by CTED directly to local governments based on established US Department of Justice formulas to fund improvements in law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation and technology improvements, and crime victim witness programs. Some of the funds have already started to go to communities, and more will be distributed for specific programs during the next two months. The Byrne Program has distributed funds for criminal justice since 1989.