The U.S. Virgin Islands has been awarded a federal grant that will enable the territory to take part in the first nationwide communications network to exclusively serve first responders and public safety personnel, Gov. John deJongh Jr. said Friday in a release from Government House.

The $515,000 planning grant will facilitate data collection needed to prepare for the territory’s involvement in a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network, said Reuben D. Molloy, the territory’s chief information technology officer. The V.I. Bureau of Information Technology applied for the grant in July on behalf of the government for the State Local Implementation Planning Grant.

Molloy said he was elated by news of the grant and noted that deJongh has made public safety a priority of his administration. The Nationwide Public Safety Wireless Broadband Network represents an opportunity to make significant progress in advancing this administration priority.

DeJongh congratulated Molloy and the staff at the Bureau of Information Technology, who he said worked tirelessly to secure this grant.

“I am well aware that broadband adoption is a foundation for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness and a better way of life," the governor said. "This understanding has influenced the United States Virgin Island’s priorities and the allocation of resources. My congratulations to all who worked to secure this grant funding for the Virgin Islands participation in FirstNet.”

The First Responder Network Authority was created as part of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.

The data collection study that the government will fund with this grant will help the Virgin Islands prepare for upcoming FirstNet consultation meetings. Representatives of the Virgin Islands attended the first consultation meeting in Virginia in May.