SEARCHLIGHT -- Nevada Senator Harry Reid announced Thursday a grant for $7 million for the Reno-Tahoe International Airport to implement noise mitigation measures as part of the airport's Sound Insulation Program. The grant, which comes from the Federal Aviation Administration, goes directly towards insulating homes from the noise caused by the airport. The Sound Insulation Program enables the airport to continue its operations while maintaining a high quality of life for its neighbors.

"This grant will give the airport an opportunity to directly assist Nevadans living nearby," Reid said."I am pleased that the Reno-Tahoe Airport will be able to continue its stewardship to the community while maintaining its world-class service for the millions of travelers coming to Northern Nevada."

Since 1994, more than $62 million has gone towards 4,600 residences which have participated in the program. With an average per-home investment (design and construction) of $14,000, about 470 residences are slated for construction in 2013.

"This is wonderful news for Reno-Tahoe International and our community,”  said Jerry Hall, Chairman of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. “This grant will help us remain a good neighbor for years to come and brings the total number of homes sound insulated by the airport to 5,000 since 1994. This program improves the quality of life for residences in their affected neighborhoods as well as their home values. We truly appreciate the commitment that has been shown to our airport by Sen. Reid and the Nevada Congressional Delegation."