New York state is chipping in millions to help Suffolk County’s expansion and rehabilitation efforts at MacArthur Airport, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.
The $150 million in state cash for the project will help cover the costs of purchasing a 48 acre parcel, building a pedestrian pathway to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station, as well as building out other infrastructure to help the county get the rest of the project off the ground.
“This gets all that going,” Hochul told reporters after her announcement with county and local leaders at MacArthur’s baggage terminal.
“It’s the sewer, the roads, the connection, the arterials. We’ve already invested money here in the airport and the county is going to be allocating $50 million as well. Timeline, in my world, as soon as possible,” Hochul continued.
The $150 million builds on a $40 million commitment from the state announced in 2022 for the new north terminal.
“We don’t fly without the wings of many people that lift us up. Without a great town supervisor and town board, without a great governor working together to do things,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, a Republican, said.
Romaine said that Suffolk County would be following up with its own commitment of at least $50 million towards infrastructure.
“With this investment, we are laying the foundation for long-term economic growth, bringing in high-quality jobs, and creating new opportunities for our young professionals to live and work right here in our community,” Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter wrote in a statement.
