More than 100 new Rhode Island construction jobs will be created through airport renovation projects.

The Federal Aviation Administration recently awarded $6.2 million to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation for two construction projects at the state’s general aviation airports. Work at Quonset Airport and Newport Airport will create about 150 jobs in design, construction and contract work.

Nationwide, a total of $1.1 million in stimulus money was given out for airport renovation, with $53 million of that in New England.

(more…)

The recently-passed federal economic stimulus plan will help create Rhode Island construction jobs.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Rhode Island will receive $138 million in direct funding, which will support 50 transportation and infrastructure projects throughout the state. The projects are expected to create 1,500 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect jobs.

These projects will be completed in conjunction with the replacement of the Pawtucket River Bridge, which was scheduled to go to construction in 2009. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is expecting to receive authorization this week from the Federal Highway Administration for $25.9 million. That money will help fund 15 projects, which are scheduled to begin in April.

(more…)

President Barack Obama’s pending stimulus should focus more on creating Rhode Island construction jobs.

Gov. Donald L. Carcieri recently sent a letter to Obama and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel requesting revisions to the current stimulus package, which would help create jobs and improve consumer confidence. The stimulus has already been passed by the House of Representatives.

According to a press release from the State of Rhode Island, Carcieri feels the stimulus is “deeply flawed” and has “enormous amounts of spending that have little to do with economic stimulus” and that it “will not produce immediate job growth,” especially for jobs in Rhode Island. Carcieri thinks the federal government should focus more on creating jobs immediately, especially construction jobs, and letting the American people keep more of their hard-earned money.

(more…)

Many new Rhode Island construction jobs and other permanent jobs will be created when Deepwater Wind builds an offshore wind farm near Rhode Island.

Gov. Donald Carcieri recently announced that Rhode Island expects Deepwater Wind to begin construction on the offshore wind farm in 2010. The wind farm should generate about 1.3 million megawatt-hours each year, or about 15 percent of the state’s electricity use, according to an article by the National Examiner.

As part of its agreement with the state, Deepwater also plans to establish a regional development office and build a facility in Quonset, both of which will create about 800 jobs in Rhode Island with wages of $60 million per year. The wind farm also will help the state reach its 20-percent renewable energy goal.

(more…)