Economic Growth and Job Creation in Rhode Island

The Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) announced yesterday that more than 10,000 people are now working at Quonset Business Park and its Port of Davisville.

The event was attended by the state’s highest elected officeholders, including: Governor Lincoln D. Chafee, Governor-Elect Gina M. Raimondo, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Representative Jim Langevin, U.S. Representative David Cicilline, Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, and others.

“This announcement is proof that if we invest in our assets, modernize our infrastructure, and provide an attractive environment where businesses can grow – we can create more jobs and strengthen our economy,” said Governor Chafee. “Quonset is seen today as one of the premier business parks in New England, and it is a driver of economic growth and job creation in Rhode Island. It didn’t happen overnight – it happened with patience, investment, and smart planning.”

Quonset is now home to almost 200 companies, employing more than 10,000 people in every sector of the economy. Since 2005, when the QDC was established, the Business Park has added more than 4,000 new jobs. Quonset is also home to the Port of Davisville, one of the Top Ten auto importing sites in North America.

“This is a very exciting milestone for Quonset. It is a testament to the success brought about by collaboration at all levels of government and with the private sector towards our goal of a thriving Rhode Island economy. It is a result of sustained focus among many on the success of Rhode Island’s working waterfronts, including dredging at the Port of Davisville and a site-readiness program and lease incentives at Quonset Business Park,” said Senate President Paiva Weed.

The event was held at AmWINS Group Benefits, a wholesale health insurance broker, which moved to the Business Park in August 2013. The company develops, distributes and administers benefit programs to businesses of all sizes across a wide range of industries. Since arriving at Quonset, they have grown from 100 to 125 employees. Today, the healthcare industry accounts for almost one fifth of the workforce in Rhode Island.

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Press Release