Record Breaking Month at the Port of Davisville
The Port of Davisville had a record-breaking month for auto imports in August 2018. The Port received a total of 35,000 vehicles, breaking the previous record from November of 2017 by more than 30%. Throughout the past 20 years, the Port has seen unprecedented growth of over 547%. The Port now handles six times the volume of auto imports than what was received in 1996. 

“We are excited to see the Port of Davisville break yet another import record this past August,” said Steven J. King, Managing Director of the Quonset Development Corporation. “We look forward to the continued growth of auto imports and other industries as we embark on critical upgrades to Pier 2.”

A Top Ten Auto Importer in North America, the Port of Davisville will be positioned for further success with upcoming planned improvements to Pier 2, the “workhouse” of the Port. The ongoing renovation of Pier 2 will be instrumental in increasing the Port’s capacity. The renovations, announced in 2016 by Gov. Gina Raimondo and overwhelmingly approved by voters, include the construction of new steel sheets along the north, south and east faces of the pier and dredging the port to accommodate large ships. These renovations will add new berthing spaces at the Port for unloading cars and other cargo.  

“I am proud of the team effort that has led to tremendous growth at the Port of Davisville,” said Port Director Bob Blackburn. “This record-breaking month is a testament to that team effort, and the broad support of our partners in government.”

Providence Business News
Breaking Ground on
New Athletic Fields
for North Kingstown
Local leaders (above) gathered at Quonset for the ribbon cutting of a brand new 22-acre athletic field complex last week. The fields were made possible by the joint efforts of the QDC, Town of North Kingstown and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM), including a $400,000 RI DEM grant and matched donations of $200,000 from the QDC and the Town of North Kingstown.
 
Located in the North Davisville section of the Business Park, the fields are now available for public use. 

“We are grateful for the continued support of the North Kingstown community,” said QDC Managing Director Steven J. King. “QDC is glad to be a part of the community, and we hope the new athletic fields will be enjoyed by North Kingstown residents for generations to come.”

The four athletic fields are an addition to an array of public amenities at the Park including the 2.5-mile bike path, four public beaches and a public golf course.  

“We have had a productive relationship with the Quonset Development Corporation for many years, and we are excited for the opportunities these fields will afford North Kingstown residents,” said North Kingstown Town Manager Ralph Mollis. 

RI DEM played a key role in funding this collaboration. “Protecting open space and supporting public recreation are two key goals of our agency,” said RI DEM Director Janet Coit in a statement. “The benefit to the residents of North Kingstown and the leadership of the Quonset Development Corporation made this project easy for us to partner on.”

The fields are now open for public use and will be available in Fall 2018 for North Kingstown’s soccer leagues. 

Pictured above, l-r: North Kingstown Superintendent Philip Auger; North Kingstown Town Manager Ralph Mollis; QDC Board Member Greg Mancini; QDC Managing Director Steven King; North Kingstown Town Council President Richard Welch; State Representative District 32 Robert Craven; RI Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor; RI DEM Manager of Planning and Development Megan DiPrete; and QDC Board Member Kerry McKay.

The Independent

New Flex Industrial Campus Moves Forward
Quonset Business Park has officially welcomed new tenants to the first building in the new Flex Industrial Campus. The 25,000-square-foot facility broke ground in the fall of 2017 and construction of the steel framing finished in the winter of 2018. 

The building provides tenants with move-in-ready space that includes full-service utilities, high bay manufacturing, assembly and warehouse space, as well as offices. 

“Our new Flex Industrial Campus provides a unique opportunity for businesses to succeed,” said Steven J. King, Managing Director of the Quonset Development Corporation. “This flex space is the first of its kind in the state and we’re excited to welcome tenants to the initial building and be moving forward with development of the second facility.”

While the first building is fully leased, construction on the second building was approved at this week's QDC board meeting.
Port of Davisville Expands Barge Services,
Welcomes Wind Turbines
In addition to its status as a Top Ten Auto Importer in North America, the Port of Davisville continues to expand its role in Rhode Island’s growing wind energy industry. A ship from Spain, bearing 33 wind turbine blades, was unloaded at the Port this month. 

Each 200-foot blade took approximately 30 minutes to unload. The blades were stored at the Port before being transported to their final home at a terrestrial wind farm in Johnston, R.I. Additional equipment for the wind farm is expected to arrive at the Port this fall. 

“As wind development increases, Quonset and the Port of Davisville will look to assist in any way possible,” said QDC Managing Director Steven J. King.

Other cargoes are on the horizon for Davisville, as well. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced in Spring 2018 that the Port of Davisville was selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to be part of a new maritime highway initiative, joining the ports of Brooklyn, N.Y, and Newark, N.J. in operating a twice weekly barge feeder service for containerized cargo. This initiative will provide other cargo options for businesses that reduce transportation costs, reduce highway congestion and increase the overall efficiency of the national transportation system.

“These marine highway grants will help expand freight movement on the water and modernize our inland ports and waterways,” said Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby in a MARAD press release.
In The News
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