The Quonset Business Park is a striking example of how good investment breeds more good investment. As we prepare to make infrastructure improvements, supported by a federal TIGER grant, a new port-related business is already taking root.
We were pleased to announce last month that an existing tenant within the Quonset Business Park will open a full-service depot facility for the shipping industry and other local businesses.
The project is the result of a joint venture between an existing Quonset tenant and a new one. Trussco, Inc., one of New England's leading roof truss manufacturer and supplier of engineered wood products, currently resides at the business park. The company will work with B&M Depots of R.I., Inc., to build the depot ahead of forthcoming improvements funded by a federal TIGER grant. The partners expect the joint venture to create new jobs immediately.
When we applied for that grant and worked hard with Rhode Island's elected officials to get it approved, we anticipated that an improved Port of Davisville would boost private sector jobs in a variety of ways. It is extremely gratifying to see that already happening in anticipation of that work.
"We believe that the TIGER grant improvements, along with high quality depot services, will bring additional business to the port," said Scott Duckworth, general manager of Trussco. "Our market research concluded that new shipping customers will choose an improved facility at Quonset over other congested terminals in the region."
Trussco is a great tenant. We applaud their success and welcome B&M Depots of RI, also encouraged by all that Quonset has to offer. The depot, which will be accessible to those who use the port via ship, train and truck, will be built at Trussco's site, at 25 Bonneau Rd., in North Kingstown.
"We give a special note of thanks to the management of the Quonset Development Corp.," said Brian Crosby, president of B&M Depots of RI. "With our broad customer base and the continued support of Quonset Development Corporation, we can make the Quonset Business Park a new hub for distribution of goods throughout New England."
The Quonset Business Park is home to 168 companies, including Trussco, that employ 8,800 people. Approximately, one out of 50 jobs in R.I. is at Quonset.
The Port of Davisville is one of North America's ten largest auto importers. News of progress at the port happens regularly, most recently with the announcement that Porsche Cars North America would be moving its operations from Baltimore to Davisville.
It offers 4,500 linear feet of berthing space, consisting of two piers (each 1,200 feet in length), a bulkhead, 29-foot channel draft, on-dock rail and a 14-acre lay down area.
As a result of the joint venture between Trussco and B&M Depots RI, the new depot will offer a wide array of cutting-edge services, including:
* Complete repair service for containers and chassis
* Twenty-four hour road service for all the truckers who use the facility
* Daily computerized reporting to all customers
* Easy access to the depot without the long wait times for pickup and drop-off that you experience at the larger depots/ports
* Long- and short-term storage for containers and chassis
* A complete selection of containers and chassis available in all sizes to lease or rent, short- and long-term
* Financing offers on leasing and purchasing
These are just some of the ways this new partnership between Trussco and B&M Depots RI will improve the port.
It's not just a promise for a new, cutting-edge depot; it represents a jolt of optimism in anticipation of future projects funded by invaluable federal grant money on the way.
Steven King, PE, is the managing director of the Quonset Development Corp., North Kingstown.