East Providence’s strategic location has and continues to play, a strong role in supporting commercial developments that are reliant on centrally located facilities that provide easy access to the on-site services they deliver to their customers and convenience in response to off-site services that may be rendered by that company. 

AAA Northeast is an example of a service oriented organization that is highly dependent on location convenience, not only to provide its members with the myriad of services that they offer through their branch offices, but to help members who are in need of roadside assistance, including services like vehicle towing, tire changes and battery replacement.  The new AAA campus will also include a fleet and driver training center that connects teen drivers with AAA experts in traffic safety training. 

After selecting the long vacant former Maylor Boiler industrial site at 10 River Rd., AAA Northeast designed a property that includes a new 2,500 s/f branch office and a 20,000 s/f dispatch center where 40 to 50 of its service vehicles will be stored.  AAA Northeast creatively repurposed the former industrial building and converted the former boiler manufacturing site into a modern facility for the storage and repair of its fleet and based on its strategic location in the East Bay, a facility that can more efficiently respond to members in need of rapid roadside assistance within the East Bay, the Providence Metro and in nearby Massachusetts.

AAA Northeast held a ribbon cutting in late July to celebrate the ceremonial opening of its 10 River Rd. campus. The event was attended by AAA Northeast employees, municipal and elected officials, business people and others, with a list of speakers and attendees that included councilman Robert Britto, acting city manager Christopher Parella, East Providence Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Laura McNamara and AAA Northeast’s president and CEO John Galvin.  

Galvin said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be in East Providence. Having a branch office, fleet center, and driver training school at this location means even greater convenience to AAA members in East Providence, Seekonk, and other nearby communities.” Mr. Galvin’s comments are a confirmation of the city’s strategic location and our community’s reputation as a great location to establish a business and meet the needs of its members and customers. The City of East Providence welcomes AAA Northeast to the city and believes that the new campus will play an important role in the AAA’s commitment to providing top level services to its members.

Developers and other parties who are interested in learning more about economic development in East Providence are encouraged to visit the city’s economic development website at www.eastprovidencebusiness.com or the City’s Waterfront District website at www.eastprovidencewaterfront.com or contact the Department of Planning.

James Moran is the economic planner for the City of East Providence, R.I.