WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that Block Island State Airport will receive over $920,000 in federal funding to make more aircraft parking spaces available. Currently there is a shortage of parking spaces for planes during the busy summer months. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) will receive $927,542 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help Block Island Airport construct a turf tie-down area to accommodate aircraft parking overflow needs that cannot be met by the existing apron.

"Air service plays a major role in serving the Block Island community," said Reed, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees federal transportation projects. "This federal funding is an essential investment in keeping Block Island's airport up-to-date, safe, and convenient."

"On behalf of all the citizens of Block Island, the New Shoreham Town Council would like to express it's gratitude to the Department of Transportation for the grant of $928,000 to construct the transient aircraft tiedown area at the Block Island airport. This money will enable the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to go forward with their construction plans for the new airport terminal building and parking areas and see the project to completion. The Town Council is pleased with the cooperative spirit that exists between RIAC and Block Island and looks forward to continuing that productive relationship," said Ray Torrey on behalf of the Town Council.

The town of New Shoreham, the municipal entity on Block Island, has just under 1,000 year-round residents. But during the busy summer tourism season, that number can increase to more than 10,000 inhabitants a day.

The lack of parking spaces for visiting planes in the summer can cause safety concerns because planes must circle longer to wait for a place to land and park. This federal funding will allow the town and RIAC to coordinate with the federal government to allow for approximately 30 additional parking spaces for planes on existing airport property.