I recently had the pleasure of joining representatives of the Carpionato Group, shareholders of Ortho Rhode Island and members of Calspan Development and Construction to officially break ground on OrthoRI’s highly-anticipated medical office and surgery center, which will be constructed at the Crossings Office Park within Carpionato’s larger Crossings campus.

Construction will begin first on a 60,000 s/f building, with a second 40,000 s/f facility slated for phase two of the project. OrthoRI’s neighbor is the global headquarters of BD’s Davol division, which includes a 120,000 s/f biotech research and development center.

With an estimated 125 construction jobs and over 275 permanent positions, a total annual payroll of $30 million and some $25 million in assessed value added to our tax rolls, OrthoRI’s arrival to Warwick is indeed great news for our community and the state as a whole.

To enhance the Crossings site as a premier biomedical destination complex, The Carpionato Group also announced a $22 million renovation plan for the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which is located adjacent to the Crossings Office Park on the campus. A reimagined lobby, café, marketplace and lounge are planned. A complete refurbishment of the hotel’s 266 guest rooms and four meeting rooms, with expanded fitness and pool areas, will enhance their guest’s stay while meeting the growing needs of the medical industry on campus. The hotel will remain open during renovations, which are scheduled to be fully complete by next February. The new lobby is expected to be unveiled in June.

These developments are certainly welcome as my administration continues the momentum we’ve built to bring quality economic development projects to Warwick and establish our community as a premiere bio-medical destination. Whether you have a well-established business or are looking to begin a new venture, I invite you to visit movetowarwickri.com to learn more about how our city can meet the needs of your company and employees.

Joseph Solomon is the mayor of Warwick.