Rhode Island success story: Quonset Business Park is home to 15,000 jobs - by Steven J. King

For 20 years, the Quonset Business Park has served as New England’s leading engine for economic growth and job creation. Today, Quonset has achieved a new economic milestone – the business park is now home to more than 15,000 jobs.

It was just over a decade ago that we celebrated the 10,000^th job. In that time, we have worked tirelessly to expand Quonset’s infrastructure and create new opportunities for businesses of all sizes to grow and thrive here.

We have built more than a dozen new buildings to accommodate small and micro-businesses, as well as growing manufacturers who need more flexible space and lease terms. We have made major upgrades to our railway infrastructure and are on track to complete quarter billion dollars in upgrades and expansions at the Port of Davisville.

It is no accident that Quonset has come to host over 15,000 jobs generating $1.72 billion in annual household income for Rhode Island families. The expansion of the business park is the result of years of strategic investments and a clear mission to deliver world-class infrastructure and customer service.

Quonset’s success is a window into what is possible in Rhode Island when we all pull together and move forward with a common purpose. None of that success would have been possible without the consistent, ongoing support of elected officials at the federal, state and local level.

We marked this milestone announcement at Hayward Industries, an industry-leading manufacturer of pool equipment and automation systems. Quonset is home to one in every five manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island, so it was only fitting that we gathered on their manufacturing floor to celebrate our honorary 15,000^th employee, Owen Surette.

After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Owen joined the Hayward team as a material planning specialist and now supports their supply chain management team.

Owen’s success is symbolic of a larger story about Quonset and about Rhode Island. Our state provides many opportunities for recent graduates. There are good-paying, meaningful careers to be had – right here at the business park. Young people are powering the Quonset success story, and we know their futures are bright.

Just as we have for two decades, the team at Quonset will continue to capitalize on new opportunities and drive additional growth. Just recently, we welcomed Anduril Industries and marked the completion of our new multi-purpose pier, which has created additional maritime opportunities for local small businesses. Land at the business park is becoming scarce, but we are working hard to make the most of our resources to bring even more jobs to Rhode Island.

Looking ahead, we will continue to build on this momentum, ensuring that investments in Quonset continue to produce economic growth and a strong return for Rhode Islanders for years to come.

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