WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help more families who are adversely affected by airport noise near T.F. Green Airport, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) will receive $5 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to acquire additional homes in the voluntary home acquisition program.

“This federal funding will provide a $5 million boost for the voluntary home acquisition program and help diminish the aircraft noise impact on residential areas.  It should help some of the neighborhoods around the airport and ensure the airport remains a good neighbor,” said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, which oversees federal funding for the program.  Over the years, Reed has helped increase FAA funds for soundproofing at T.F. Green and worked with FAA officials to study the issue to determine how noise from increased airport traffic may be abated.

Peter Frazier, Interim President & CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, said, “The $5 million grant will help support ongoing mitigation projects for the benefit of our neighbors.  We greatly appreciate the efforts of our congressional delegation, but in particular, Senator Jack Reed, who, on our behalf, continues to meet regularly with the FAA in Washington regarding our important airport projects.”     

Senator Reed has been a strong proponent of modernizing and improving T.F. Green and expanding the runway to help attract new business and jobs to Rhode Island. Earlier this year, Senator Reed helped pass a $63.4 billion FAA bill that, for the first time in several years, gives airports nationwide the ability to use federal resources to plan and commit to long-term projects.  Last month he joined the FAA’s Associate Administrator Christa Fornarotto, who oversees federal airport grants, for a tour of T. F. green and a firsthand look at the state’s plans.