Gov. Raimondo Proposes $70 Million Investment in Quonset's Port of Davisville
Governor Gina Raimondo announced a proposal for a $70 million general obligation bond to modernize Quonset's Port of Davisville in her state budget address delivered to the General Assembly last night. The initiative calls for the state to modernize and reconstruct Pier 2 at the Port, which is consistently one of the Top 10 auto ports in North America. The investment would solidify Davisville's position as the premiere marine commercial gateway to New England and add an additional 50 years to the pier's useful life. It would also preserve hundreds of jobs in the maritime sector and keep Rhode Island competitive with other ports in the region. Constructed in 1956, the pier was built and designed to last 50 years. "Governor Raimondo's proposed investment of $70 million to modernize the Port will ensure Quonset's continued momentum," said Steven J. King, PE, Managing Director of the Quonset Development Corporation. "It will secure the Port of Davisville as one of Rhode Island's premiere economic assets and position the State for more economic expansion and job growth in the future." 2015 was another record year at Davisville, which enjoyed its sixth consecutive record breaking year for auto imports by sea. The Port now handles six times the volume of automobiles that were shipped there in 1996, with more than 547% growth since then. The Port of Davisville also accounts for nearly half of the import vessel calls arriving in the Narragansett Bay in 2015. To learn more about the Governor's proposal for the Port of Davisville, click here.
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Ocean State Grad Could Help Quonset Businesses Attract, Retain Young Talent
 More than 200 companies at Quonset employ nearly 11,000 people here at the Business Park. To ensure the continued success of businesses here and throughout Rhode Island, Gov. Gina Raimondo has made it her goal to attract and retain talented workers in our state. The Ocean State Grad Grant program was created with this goal in mind, and provides an incentive for young, skilled workers to stay in Rhode Island. Launched earlier this year by Gov. Raimondo and Rhode Island Housing, the Ocean State Grad Grant offers down payment assistance grants to recent graduates of any accredited higher education program. The program aims to help recent graduates reduce the cost of buying their first home in Rhode Island. Qualified individuals who graduated with any post-secondary degree from an accredited university can be eligible for a grant of up to $7,000 towards development. "The Ocean State Grad Grant program encourages young professionals to lay down roots in Rhode Island, where they can contribute their talents to the local economy and be active members of our communities," said Barbara Fields, Executive Director of Rhode Island Housing. Innovative programs like the Ocean State Grad Grant are helping Rhode Island and Quonset become a place where local businesses can continue to grow and develop young talent. If your business has current or future employees that may be interested in help buying a home in Rhode Island, click here to learn more.
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Congressman Jim Langevin to Headline North Kingstown Chamber Annual Meeting
Congressman Jim Langevin will deliver the keynote address at the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Meeting and Business Excellence Awards Dinner. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 6 at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown.
"I am honored to be included in the North Kingstown Chamber's annual meeting and awards dinner, a time when we can celebrate the many business success stories in our backyard," said Langevin. "From Wickford to Quonset, down the Post Road corridor and back, North Kingstown is home to exceptional businesses both small and large, and I am so proud of the contributions this town makes to the overall Rhode Island economy. Thank you to Kristin [Urbach] and the Chamber for including me in what I know will be an exciting and memorable occasion."
Congressman Langevin has represented the Second District of Rhode Island since 2001, and is currently a senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees. As a supporter of the critical national security work done by Rhode Island's defense industry, he has worked in committee to double production of the Virginia Class Submarines built at Quonset by Electric Boat.
To find how you can attend and support North Kingstown's local business community, click here.
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