Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has delivered the first tranche of funds from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to Rhode Island airports. The FY2022 funding from the infrastructure bill totals just over $9 million, which can be used to upgrade facilities and improve airport operations. The state’s airports will receive an estimated $45 million from the bill over five years.
“Our airports are important economic engines for the state. This infusion of federal funding will help airports improve passenger experience and accessibility, replace aging infrastructure, and upgrade terminals and facilities. This is a smart investment in enhancing connectivity and creating economic opportunity,” said Senator Reed.
“T.F. Green International is already one of the best, most passenger-friendly airports in the country. This funding from our bipartisan infrastructure bill will allow the state to further improve the flying experience at T.F. Green and at the smaller airports that also serve as gateways to the Ocean State,” said Senator Whitehouse.
“Rhode Island boasts some of the best airports in the nation, but our airports have been awaiting overdue renovations for years,” said Congressman Langevin. “I was so proud to support this once-in-a-generation investment in our state’s infrastructure, which will create new, good-paying jobs for Rhode Island and help our local airports become even safer, more convenient places to fly.”
“This funding will help better Rhode Island’s airports for Rhode Islanders and visitors alike,” said Congressman Cicilline. “These projects, and all those funded by the bipartisan infrastructure bill, will provide good paying jobs for Rhode Islanders as we work to build back better.”
The funding breakdown for FY2022 is as follows:
- Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, $6,500,902
- Westerly State Airport, $1,011,862
- Block Island State Airport, $1,010,963
- Quonset State Airport, $295,000
- North Central State Airport, $159,000
- Newport State Airport, $110,000
“The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) is extremely grateful for the hard work of our Congressional delegation in achieving the passage of comprehensive bipartisan infrastructure legislation, including vital funding for Rhode Island’s public airports,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation. “We look forward to working with the Federal Aviation Administration as guidance on the use of federal funds is released and are prepared to move forward on numerous capital projects that have been identified through the development of a new $850 million 20 year Master Plan for Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, as well as RIAC’s newly released draft Strategic Business Plan for the state’s General Aviation Airports which identifies $98 million in priority projects over the next decade.”
All four members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation strongly advocated for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law by President Biden last month. The bill will bring a total of more than $2.5 billion to Rhode Island to rebuild the state’s physical infrastructure, stimulate economic growth, and create jobs.
Chip Unruh (Reed), (202) 224-4642
Meaghan McCabe (Whitehouse), (401) 453-5294
Matt Fidel (Langevin), (202) 631-1010
Jennifer Bell (Cicilline), (202) 365-0827
