The Rhode Island Republican party is moving up, or at least moving across town.

The GOP has packed up its headquarters in the Apponaug section of Warwick and moved into a more spacious location in the Airport Plaza on Post Road.

The new digs will allow the party "to offer more services to candidates," said Executive Director Marc Pappas. "It has a phone bank area, conference rooms and a computer area. We've just got a lot more space here."

To celebrate, Republicans will host an open house at the new headquarters tonight, 1800 Post Rd., Lower Level Suite 17-L from 6 to 8 p.m.

Pappas is the party's other big news.

The former political consultant joined the GOP's payroll three weeks ago, taking over for Donna Perry, who stepped down earlier this summer to devote time to her Senate run in District 13 (Newport, Jamestown), where she will challenge Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Paiva Weed.

Pappas told reporters that he was hired through the November elections. No decisions have been made about what to do with the position after that.