The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has broken ground on a new facility at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island that will serve as the home of the NOAA Marine Operations Center — Atlantic.
In December, the U.S. Navy, on behalf of NOAA, awarded $146.8 million to Skanska USA to build the facility. The design and construction are funded in part by the Inflation Reduction Act, which is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
The facility will have a pier to accommodate four large vessels, a floating dock for smaller boats, space for repairs and parking, and a warehouse that will provide shoreside support. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Biden and the hard work of Rhode Island’s elected leaders, we are making transformative investments in Rhode Island and all across the country,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement. “President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda made it possible for NOAA to construct this new facility and make advances in critical climate and ocean research, while also cementing NOAA’s relationships with the Navy and the community of Newport. This facility will support science and a healthy economy well into the future.”
NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad said the facility will be LEED-certified and be the home port for one of the organization’s new lower-emissions vessels.
