Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

The state's airport agency has received $6.2 million in federal stimulus money for repairs and improvements at Quonset State Airport and Newport State Airport, the agency announced Wednesday afternoon.

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation, the state agency that operates T.F. Green Airport, Quonset, Newport and several other state airports, said $3.5 million will go to Quonset and $2.7 million will go to Newport.

The Quonset money will be used to rebuild, mark and light Taxiway A, a paved surface about 2,600 feet long and 75 feet wide. Quonset is home to Rhode Island Air National Guard facilities. The main runway there, at 7,500 feet, is the longest paved runway in the state.

The Newport money will be used to rebuild, mark and light one of the two runways there.

The money will help boost the state's services to general aviation, said Kevin A. Dillon, Airport Corporation president. "The state's general aviation airports play an important role in generating jobs and economic activity for the state, as well as serving corporate, private and military aviation needs."

The projects at both airports are in the design phase, with construction expected to begin in July and finish by the end of the year, generating about 150 jobs.

 Tags  economy Newport State Airport Quonset State Airport Rhode Island Air National Guard Rhode Island Airport Corporation

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