Gov. Chafee Launches Quonset's
Pre-Permitting Program
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A Model for Statewide Effort
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Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee
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Governor Lincoln D. Chafee was at the Quonset Business Park today to announce the launch of the Quonset Development Corporation's (QDC) new Pre-Permitting Program. Under the program 33 sites in the business park have all the necessary permits and are ready for immediate development. The initiative will serve as a model for a larger statewide demonstration project being developed by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC). "Creating a regulatory and permitting system that is easy to understand and predictable is key to making Rhode Island an attractive place for companies to invest," Governor Chafee said. "These site readiness programs will keep Rhode Island ahead of the marketplace, anticipating what businesses need to keep growing here or come to our state and create more jobs." The 33 pre-permitted parcels are part of only 350 acres that remain available for development at Quonset. The QDC partnered with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) to pre-permit each parcel to meet environmental requirements. The QDC also worked with the Town of North Kingstown, and building and zoning experts to pre-engineer the parcels to anticipate likely uses for a variety of industries. The QDC initiative will serve as a model for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation's (RIEDC) Office of Regulatory Reform's "RI-Ready" program. The effort will make it easier to develop commercial projects and help businesses "cut through the red-tape" so they can create more jobs in Rhode Island.
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R.I. House Endorses $7.5 Million Dredging Project for Port of Davisville
Already the 7th largest auto importer in North America, the Port of Davisville is positioning itself to climb even higher. A new dredging project recently approved by the RI House of Representatives will help make that goal a reality. Recently, House lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a resolution approving a $7.5 million bond for maintenance dredging at the Port of Davisville.
The proposed dredging, which comes at no cost to the taxpayers, allows ships to carry more vehicles and more cargo. Using a state revenue bond instead of federal funds, port users avoid paying a federal Harbor Maintenance Tax.
The legislation now goes to the state Senate for consideration. To see Steven King's testimony at the House Finance Committee hearing, click here.
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Quonset Tenant WellOne Awarded
Critical Competitive Funding
 As Quonset Business Park continues to grow and succeed, more people are learning about the 168 businesses that reside in the park and their achievements. One of those organizations is WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care, a non-profit community health center dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare to residents unable to pay for traditional coverage. Known as, "RI's oldest community health center," WellOne was awarded several grants earlier this year to help them serve their 13,000 patients. The grants that will directly benefit the WellOne center at Quonset Business Park included a grant of $6,000 from the Episcopal Charities Fund of Rhode Island; a grant of $70,000 from the Rhode Island Foundation, and a grant of $13,045 from the Ronald McDonald Charity House of Eastern New England. The funding will help improve the level and quality of care that WellOne can provide to its patients, especially those with the greatest financial need. We applaud WellOne for the continued efforts to improve the health of Rhode Island's residents. Are you a Quonset tenant with some good news of your own to share? Let us know! |
