BARROW -- New federal money will help Barrow complete two long-awaited projects.

KBRW-AM reported that $600,000 will help the town build a new boat launch at North Salt Lagoon, giving subsistence fishermen safe access to the Arctic Ocean.

The project will also include dredging work and tie-up space for boats. It's scheduled to be completed by summer 2012.

A separate grant of $4.3 million will pay for the remodeling of the town's recreation center.

Mayor Bob Harcharek said the facility has fallen victim to a soaring population and a lack of preventive maintenance.

The federal money comes from a program that returns a portion of National Petroleum Reserve lease sales to affected communities.