PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Federal and state officials are celebrating developments at the state's two major ports in Providence and North Kingstown.

Officials on Monday said they had secured $6 million in federal money to pay for repairs and improvements at Quonset. The money will reconstruct a bulkhead that was damaged in Hurricane Irene and make it taller so that it better protects against future flooding.

In Providence, Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) and the state's congressional delegation gathered at ProvPort to celebrate new state-of-the-art cranes tentatively scheduled to arrive at the port in May that will enable it to expand services.

Sen. Jack Reed says the projects will help create jobs in the state.