Steven King, Quonset Development Corp.Ten years after its creation, the Quonset Development Corp. (QDC) has established itself as a driver of economic development and job creation in Rhode Island. There are more than 10,000 people working at the park, over 200 companies here and the Port of Davisville is one of the top ten auto importers on the continent. A key reason for this success has been our commitment to enhancing Quonset Business Park by constantly looking for opportunities to better serve our tenants.
One of the many ways we have achieved this goal has been through the Romano Vineyard Way Bridge project. The project, which was completed on schedule and under budget in 2011, eliminated the “at grade” automobile crossing over the busy railroad tracks at Bailey Rd. and Davisville Rd. By improving safety and providing better connectivity within the park, the bridge has had a significant impact on the day-to-day operations of our tenants and created the opportunity for more growth. The bridge makes the parcels south of Davisville Rd. more accessible and marketable to future tenants, and removes the inconvenience of delays for tenant employees and visitors waiting for trains filled with automobiles passing by are a thing of the past.
Even better, the bridge did not place any burden on the state’s operating budget as it was financed with federal funding and the QDC’s operating budget. Thanks to the support of senator Reed, senator Whitehouse, congressman Langevin and congressman Cicilline, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) provided the QDC with a $3.8 million grant to pursue the project. At the same time, the QDC committed nearly $1 million to see the project come to fruition. As a result of being completed under budget, federal funding was reallocated to additional landscaping, allowing us to make Quonset even greener by planting over 500 trees.
Recently, the QDC provided the EDA with a six year report on the Bridge and its impact. Among the highlights was the Wide World of Indoor Sports (WWIS) complex, which sits beside the Romano Vineyard Way Bridge. WWIS has already invested over $7 million in its business operations, created 88 jobs, and is putting the finishing touches on a 30,000 s/f expansion. Similarly, Greencore USA, also within close proximity to the bridge, has invested over $31 million and brought more than 400 jobs to the park since it opened its facility in 2015. These businesses are just a few examples of how Quonset’s innovative programs continue to attract investments and stimulate Rhode Island’s private sector.
The Romano Vineyard Way Bridge is a testament to the long-standing commitment we have made to improve our utility and transportation infrastructure – a strategy that continues to attract new businesses to Quonset and create new jobs. In addition to our infrastructure improvements, the QDC has created a number of programs to incentivize businesses and ease their transition into Quonset Business Park. Quonset’s Site-Readiness Program also provides business owners with a streamlined and expedited permitting process, helping businesses save time and money.
The QDC strives to make the business park run as smoothly as possible for its tenants so they can see their businesses grow and create more jobs. Part of that effort requires easy access and convenient methods of transportation – we want people and cargo to come and go with maximum ease. The Romano Vineyard Way Bridge helps us achieve this goal and makes Quonset a place where businesses have the opportunities and tools they need to thrive.
Steven King, PE, is the managing director of the Quonset Development Corp., North Kingstown.