Quonset Business Park is now home to more than 175 companies, employing approximately 9,500 people in fulltime and part-time jobs across several industries. It is one of the premiere business park's in New England and one of the largest in the Northeast. It spreads across more than 3,200 acres, including space for business, commerce, recreation and open space use. Advantageously located near the population centers of the Northeast on Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay, the Quonset Business Park has world-class infrastructure and is rich in amenities, location and history.
Great things continue to happen at Quonset each day. One of the most important accomplishments for us in 2013 was the 25 year extension and 42 acre expansion of Electric Boat's lease. This transaction provides for stability and growth, allowing EB to add 600,000 s/f of building space and up to 3,000 more jobs over the next ten years for the construction of Ohio class replacement submarines. Later this year Electric Boat will break ground on a new 111,000 s/f building as they begin their expansion project.
Earlier in 2013, governor Chafee and the RI congressional delegation joined with leaders from North Atlantic Distribution, Inc (NORAD) to announce that Honda will begin shipping autos to the Port of Davisville starting in 2014. In August the governor cut the ribbon on The Gateway Offices, a new 14,000 s/f building providing modern, affordable office space to small businesses and start up companies. The building was fully leased within six weeks, and construction on a second building will begin this summer.
BankNewport broke ground last September on a new branch to be located at Quonset, which will open later this year. In November, governor Chafee helped "flip the switch" on New England's most powerful solar rooftop array, located in West Davisville. These were just a few of the highlights from 2013, and we look forward to many more great announcements in 2014.
At Quonset Business Park we believe in providing businesses with world class infrastructure and a predictable environment where they can see their business grow. We encourage you to visit Quonset today and see what opportunities are available for your business. Our connections can lead to your success.
Steven King, PE, is the managing director of the Quonset Development Corp., North Kingstown, RI.