WARWICK, R.I. – The Rhode Island Congressional Delegation today announced $15.4 million for military construction and facility improvement projects across the state. The funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which all four members of the Delegation supported.
“In the short term this federal funding means jobs. In the long term it invests in Rhode Island’s military bases and improves operational support for our troops,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a member of both the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees. “At a time when the Pentagon is reassessing where and what it invests in this is good news for the continued presence and growth of Rhode Island’s military facilities and defense industry, which play an important role in our state’s economy.”
“Repairing and improving facilities for Rhode Island’s National Guard members and Reservists puts economic recovery funds to work, supporting jobs for our state and the men and women who serve our country,” Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said.
“These federal recovery dollars will improve the quality of life for our men and women in uniform while giving our local economy a much needed jump start. My colleagues in our Congressional Delegation will continue to ensure that Rhode Island’s military installations continue to receive the necessary support to fulfill their mission at home and abroad,” said Congressman Patrick Kennedy, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
“Once again this recovery funding is living up to its intent and coming to the state quickly for worthwhile projects,” said Congressman Jim Langevin, member of the House Armed Services Committee. “This funding will make improvements to our defense infrastructure and invest in the health and well being of our service men and women.”
“I would like to thank the state’s Congressional delegation for securing this funding. The RI National Guard is thrilled that we will be receiving significant federal funds to improve the condition of our training sites,” said Major General Robert P. Bray, adjutant general of Rhode Island. “In conjunction with federal Military Construction dollars already obtained for our state in recent years, this new round of resources postures us for relevance into the future. It is another sign of the Guard’s importance as an operational force and continuing validation as a key partner in our nation’s defense. Not only do these projects better prepare our Soldiers and Airmen for future state and federal missions, but they also greatly benefit the state’s economic situation by creating and sustaining jobs for Rhode Islanders.”
This allocation will fund eight facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization projects across the state, including:
Army Reserve: $12 million for the full renovation of the Esek Hopkins Armed Forces Reserve Center in Cranston, including: replacing the roof, boiler, windows, exterior doors, flooring, ceilings, and lights, among other repairs.
RI National Guard: $540,000 Providence Mounted Command Army – roof repair
$509,000 Coventry Air National Guard – insulation system and roof repair
$65,000 Warwick Field Maintenance Shop – window repairs
$142,000 Camp Varnum in Narragansett – window replacements
$110,000 Camp Varnum – insulation upgrade
Tricare Management: $1.8 million Newport Naval Station – replace medical/dental clinic roof
$263,000 Newport Naval Station – repair interior water damage, medical clinic
-30-
