Previous editorials have highlighted the decision of Aspen Aerogels headquartered in Northborough, Mass., to build their primary manufacturing facility in the city of East Providence. Aspen Aerogels has invested $30 million in developing this facility and the eventual creation of more than 100 high paying manufacturing jobs. The company makes highly efficient aerogel thermal insulation products used in a variety of industries including defense; building and construction; and hydrocarbon exploration, transportation and refining.
On July 14th, the company held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of their facility on Dexter Road within the confines of the City's Waterfront Special Development District. The event was attended by numerous state and municipal officials, local business leaders and neighboring businesses of the facility. "We are pleased to make this large investment in East Providence. The facility is the centerpiece of our growth plans, which focus on helping our customers worldwide achieve their goals," said Don Young, Aspen Aerogels' president and CEO.
Sen. Jack Reed and rep. Patrick Kennedy, who were both instrumental in bringing critical support to the new manufacturing plant, were in attendance at the event and lauded the accomplishments of Aspen Aerogels and its cutting edge technological product. "I am pleased that Aspen Aerogels is opening this new facility and creating highly-skilled, manufacturing jobs here in East Providence," said Reed. "The most efficient thermal insulation in the world will be manufactured right here in East Providence and it will help our troops in the field with everything from protecting them from heat seeking missiles to reducing the weight of ships and making them more energy efficient. I am pleased to have secured federal funding for this effort to strengthen our military and boost Rhode Island's economy."
Congressman Kennedy said "Bringing Aspen Aerogels to East Providence is not only an investment in the City of East Providence, but more importantly, it is an investment in the people of Rhode Island. The opening of this new facility will bring many new jobs to the people of Rhode Island and in doing so, is an important step in bringing stability back to the economy of Rhode Island and its citizens."
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Aspen officials offered tours of the manufacturing plant explaining the process of transforming their product from the basic raw materials into the finished product. The City is hopeful that the opening of cutting edge technology firms like Aspen Aerogels will bolster new investment by other high technology companies in the State of Rhode Island and East Providence.
For more information visit www.eastprovidence.com or call the Department of Planning at (401) 435-7534.
James Moran is the economic planner for the city of East Providence.