WJAR: Ground broken for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration base in Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. (WJAR) — NOAA is moving to the Newport Naval Base.

A marine operations center is being relocated from Virginia to Rhode Island.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is starting to build this new hub here. It will serve a variety of vessels that will go out and do ocean research.

The construction of the nearly $150 million base is largely being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

The new facility will support 200 jobs, be used to coordinate ships in the Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes, and will be the homeport of NOAA’s flagship research vessels.

It will feature a pier, floating dock, warehouse and space for ship repairs.

Construction is expected to be done in 2027.

"From this site, NOAA will provide data to map the nation sea floors that are critical for the nation's $2.3 billion maritime industry that depends on the safe navigation from the data our ships collect . We'll collect fisheries data to sustainably manage the nation's $9.6 billion fishing industry. We'll explore the nation's oceans ensuring that we can manage our resources," said Adm. Nancy Hann, director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations.

Former Gov. Gina Raimondo, who's now the U.S. secretary of commerce, was back in Rhode Island for Monday's groundbreaking.

NOAA falls under her purview in the Commerce Department.