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Business Beat: AAA Chooses Rhode Island for Hundreds of New Jobs Over Next 4 Years
April 5, 2026/
Plans are beginning to be solidified from Rhode Island’s major competitive win with AAA, as officials will gather Monday, led by Gov. McKee, newly confirmed Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, and AAA Northeast CEO John Galvin to officially unveil a new insurance center in Lincoln and details of how hundreds of high-paying jobs will be added over the next few years. The announcement will take place at 2pm at the North Building at 1 Albion Way in Lincoln.
The expansion of the Motor Club Insurance Company (MCIC), a primary insurer for AAA members, represents a $7.1 million private investment into the “Albion Crossing” complex at 1 Albion Road. The move is the centerpiece of a state-backed deal that successfully kept the expansion in Rhode Island after the company considered sites in Massachusetts.
In October of 2025, John Galvin, President and CEO of AAA Northeast said, “The creation of new full-time jobs for MCIC reflects our confidence in Rhode Island’s workforce and leadership, along with our commitment to investing in the state’s future – AAA Northeast has been part of Rhode Island’s story for generations, and we look forward to creating meaningful opportunities for years to come.”
The Economic Impact
The scale of the expansion is significant for the state’s labor market. According to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, the deal includes:
- 370 New Full-Time Jobs: A commitment to reach this hiring goal by 2030 and maintain it through 2037.
- High-Wage Floor: The median annual salary for the new positions is projected at $77,107, well above the statewide average.
- GDP Growth: The facility is expected to inject an estimated $109.2 million into Rhode Island’s annual GDP once fully operational.
Revitalizing a Lincoln Landmark
The choice of 1 Albion Road was formerly the headquarters for the iconic A.T. Cross Company. After the pen-maker moved its main operations to Providence, the site saw significant vacancies. AAA’s $7.1 million build-out has modernized the space into a high-tech claims processing hub. About half of the 370 new hires will be based physically at the Lincoln site, while the remainder will consist of remote roles and staff at the company’s Providence-Pawtucket line headquarters.
A Competitive “Steal”
The expansion was secured through approximately $6.8 million in state tax credits via the Qualified Jobs Incentive program. State officials have been vocal about the stakes of the deal, noting that MCIC’s decision to stay and grow in Rhode Island—rather than moving the unit to Massachusetts—is a validation of the state’s business climate.
The growth also positions Rhode Island as the operational nerve center for MCIC’s upcoming push into the New York and New Jersey insurance markets.
Hiring Now
For local job seekers, the expansion isn’t just a future promise. AAA has already begun recruiting, with roles ranging from senior claims adjusters to entry-level “agent trainees.” Notably, the company is offering to cover 100% of the licensing and training costs for those entering the insurance field for the first time.
While AAA Northeast operates the local branches, the insurance expansion is managed through AAA Auto Club Enterprises (ACE). Applicants should search for “Lincoln, RI” or “Rhode Island” on the AAA ACE Careers Portal to find these specific openings.
Active Openings at the Lincoln Claims Center (1 Albion Road):
- Claims Team Manager – Auto (Job ID: JR202635655): $92,600 – $123,600/yr. Oversees daily operations for the new unit.
- Claims Senior Auto Adjuster (Job ID: JR202635311): $68,640 – $77,900/yr. Focuses on liability and material damage claims.
- Claims Operations Service Specialist (Job ID: JR202634467): $30.30 – $40.37/hr. Provides administrative and operational support to the claims team.
- Claims Team Manager – Subrogation (Job ID: JR202635236): $92,600 – $123,600/yr. Specializes in recovery and insurance law.
Entry-Level “No Experience” Roles:
- Inside Sales Insurance Agent Trainee (Job ID: 57998): $23.75 – $30.15/hr. Includes 100% paid training and licensing fees. Next training class is scheduled to begin Monday, April 27, 2026.
Employee Benefits (tentative):
- Retirement: 401(k) with a 6% company match.
- Time Off: 3 weeks of vacation, 12 holidays, and 8 sick days in the first year.
- Health: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision, with AAA covering up to 88% of premiums.
- Extras: Tuition reimbursement and free AAA Premier Membership.
While searching the portal, use the “Onsite” filter or “Remote” for different categories of jobs as they become ‘live’ for application.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Posted in Business