New Quonset pier supports small businesses and economic growth - by Steven J. King

Quonset recently celebrated a milestone nearly 70 years in the making when federal, state, and local leaders joined us for the ribbon cutting of the new Terminal 5 Pier and Blue Economy Support Docks at the Port of Davisville.

These projects mark a significant step forward in ensuring that Rhode Island’s only public port continues to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, while also driving economic growth.

The new pier provides much-needed docking space for small and growing maritime businesses to support product testing and research and development. Reliable access to waterfront infrastructure is essential for growth, and Quonset is ready to deliver it.

Already, companies like REGENT Craft and Anduril Industries are benefiting from Quonset’s world-class facilities. Whether it’s supporting the development of cutting-edge maritime transportation or enabling the testing and scaling of autonomous vehicles, the Port of Davisville now has even more infrastructure to support a wide range of new uses.

Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT Craft, said it best, “Quonset’s new Terminal 5 Pier is exactly the kind of infrastructure that companies like REGENT are looking for when deciding where to locate. Quonset’s ability to conceive and quickly construct this type of facility is one of the reasons why REGENT has been so successful with the rapid expansion of our manufacturing and test operations here.”

The Terminal 5 project reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that small businesses have the infrastructure to succeed. By providing easily accessible waterfront facilities, we are opening new doors for emerging companies while strengthening Rhode Island’s position in maritime and undersea technology innovation.

Quonset Business Park is home to more than 14,800 jobs at 252 companies, including nearly one in five manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island. The success of the Business Park is built on a foundation of reliable, modern infrastructure. Projects like Terminal 5 demonstrate how strategic investments today will pay dividends for Rhode Island companies for decades to come.

Quonset will continue to build on this momentum, ensuring that businesses of all sizes have the tools they need to thrive here in Rhode Island.

Steven J. King, PE, is the managing director of the Quonset Development Corp., North Kingstown, R.I.