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Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and
House Speaker Gordon Fox
Kick Off Dredging Project
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No Taxpayer Funds Utilized to Complete Project
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Governor Chafee, Speaker Fox
and Local Leaders Kick off
Dredging Project
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Governor Lincoln D. Chafee joined with House Speaker Gordon Fox, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) and Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) today to kick off a dredging project at Quonset Business Park's Port of Davisville. The maintenance dredging will re-establish a depth of minus 32' below mean low water in and around the berthing facilities at the Port, and allow Davisville to accommodate the design draft of the car carriers that call on the Port. Requiring no taxpayer funding, it is the first dredging effort of the Davisville channel since its original construction in the 1940s.
"The dredging work that begins today is of vital importance to the growth of Quonset Business Park, the Port of Davisville, and most importantly - Rhode Island," said Governor Chafee. "This project will ensure that we continue to be one of the most active and successful auto-ports in North America and will further strengthen one of our state's key assets. As Governor and Chairman of the RIEDC Board, I have been proud to help move this important initiative forward."
Quonset Business Park is home to 168 companies, employing more than 8,800 people in every sector of the economy. The Port of Davisville is the 7th largest auto importer in North America.
"Improving Rhode Island's Ports and ensuring that they can help our state grow is a top priority for the General Assembly," said House Speaker Gordon Fox. "My colleagues on both sides of the aisle, recognized that this was a critical piece of legislation that needed to pass in this year's session, and we were happy to offer our support."
To learn more about the dredging project, check out Steven King's recent commentary in the New England Real Estate Journal.
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Quonset and Davisville
Helping Rhode Island "Make it Happen"
Earlier this month, the Rhode Island Foundation released a progress report to share its findings from their Make it Happen RI event held in September. The economic development gathering was a unique opportunity to bring together more than 300 Rhode Islanders to brainstorm new ideas that could boost the state's economy.
 Among one of the most important themes in the report was the overwhelming need to create jobs in Rhode Island. At several points in the document the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC), the Quonset Business Park and the Port of Davisville were highlighted for innovative policies that have led to strong job growth.
Specifically, the report:
- Praised Quonset as "an example of [a] business development scheme that works." (See pg. 25)
- Applauded Quonset's pre-permitting program "so you can hand a package to anyone who is thinking of locating there." (See pg. 25)
- Recommended looking at Quonset's 90-day site-readiness program to address regulation reform (See pg. 22)
- Recommended we find new ways to "Celebrate [RI] successes. For example, Quonset Business Park" (See pg. 37)
- Said to "attack unemployment" we need to "improve infrastructure in our ports," which the QDC is addressing with the recent $22.5M in TIGER grant improvements and this fall's $7.5M dredging project. (See pg. 19)
To see the full report from the Rhode Island Foundation, click here. |
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TownePlace Suites at Quonset Gateway Earns LEED Silver Certification
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TownePlace Suites at Quonset
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The TownePlace Suites Hotel, located in the Gateway District of Quonset Business Park has been awarded LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Pro Con, Inc. the architect and construction manager for the hotel said the Quonset location was the first TownePlace Suites to become LEED certified in the country.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a voluntary program that provides third-party verification of green buildings by the non-profit, USGBC. According to Pro Con, "Sustainable design practices were incorporated into each phase of construction and operation of the building, which resulted in the TownePlace Suites attaining a 26% improvement in energy performance when compared to a similar building." The TownePlace Suites Hotel was developed as part of the Gateway Parcel Master Development by New Boston Fund Inc. of Boston, and Waterford Development of Needham, MA. To learn more, click here. |
