Business Beat: Quonset Business Park celebrates 14,000+ jobs, 239 businesses

Quonset Business Park celebrates 14,000 jobs

The Quonset Development Corporation announced today that Quonset Business Park has surpassed the 14,000 jobs threshold and is now home to 14,379 jobs at 239 companies. The milestone comes just 15 months after Governor Dan McKee joined and federal, state and local leaders to celebrate Quonset’s 13,000^th job.

“Quonset is a leading engine of economic activity and job growth and a perfect example of the economic momentum we’re seeing all across Rhode Island,” said Governor Dan McKee. “By making strategic investments in the Business Park, we attract new and growing companies that are creating good-paying jobs and careers for Rhode Islanders.”

Quonset generates $5.9 billion in annual economic output and $1.72 billion in household income annually for Rhode Islanders. The Business Park is home to nearly 1 in 5 manufacturing jobs in the state and wages that are 10 percent higher than the state average.

Public investment at Quonset is currently supporting upgrades and expansion at the Port of Davisville. These upgrades will preserve the Port’s 1,600 jobs, position Quonset to continue its success as one of North America’s Top 10 auto importers and expand Rhode Island’s support for wind energy projects, like Revolution Wind. The cable for the wind farm, which will provide 704-megawatts of clean energy to Rhode Island and Connecticut and create hundreds of local jobs makes landfall at Quonset.

”Quonset Business Park is one of the most vibrant economic centers in our state and the 14,000-job milestone is a testament to the leadership there,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “Based on Quonset’s success, the House continues to support investments in the Port of Davisville that will create additional jobs while helping Rhode Island achieve our climate goals.” 

“The rapid expansion from 13,000 jobs to over 14,000 jobs reinforces Quonset’s reputation as one of the best Business Parks in the nation,” said Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. “The Rhode Island Senate has consistently supported the Park, and we congratulate Quonset on this significant milestone.”

Ongoing construction at Quonset’s Gateway and Flex Industrial Campuses have also contributed to the continued job growth at the Business Park. In 2023, Quonset completed construction on 70,000 square feet of new office and industrial space. Three new buildings totaling 100,000 square feet are expected to be completed in 2024. 

“Rhode Island is focused on growing its economy by making key investments in multi-use industrial sites, like Quonset, which create thousands of good paying jobs and spark innovation.” said Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner, who serves as chair of the QDC board. “This latest milestone shows Quonset continues to be a major asset to our economic momentum – helping ensure we remain competitive by growing our workforce and leveraging the strategic advantages we offer as a state.” 

“At Quonset, we work to create and sustain an environment that encourages economic growth across Rhode Island and throughout the region,” said Quonset Development Corporation Managing Director Steven J. King, P.E. “The keys to Quonset’s success are world-class service and state-of-the-art-infrastructure, neither of which would be possible without the support of the General Assembly and all of our partners in government and private industry. This milestone is a window into what is possible in Rhode Island when we all work together.