Jobs and growth abundant at Quonset Business Park

The Quonset Business Park continues to post good news about jobs and growth, continuing the momentum we've sustained despite the tough economy. This month's highlights come in the form of a major boost in volume of cars distributed at the North American Auto Distributors, Inc. (NORAD), located at the Port of Davisville; the announcement of a new business resident; and the start of construction on a new boat service center and storage facility at Quonset. MORE CARS TO NORAD NORAD announced an agreement with the Ford Motor Company and the Norfolk & Southern Railroad to distribute Ford cars and trucks at its Quonset facility. According to NORAD president Mike Miranda, the facility will begin with 25,000 Fords per year to move through Quonset and be distributed to dealers throughout New England. That number could increase to as many as 75,000 cars and trucks per year. The agreement with Ford will add at least 25 new jobs at NORAD, which employs 250. The Quonset Business Park is home to 168 companies, employing 8,800 workers. NORAD mainly processes automobiles that come in by ship to the Port of Davisville, one of North America's largest car import facilities, but with the Ford arrangement, NORAD will expand its use of rail for auto deliveries. NEW BUSINESS RESIDENT Another important milestone is the announcement by Cool Polymers that it would be relocating to a 40,000 s/f facility at Quonset. The engineered materials manufacturer will be moving its headquarters from a smaller location. Kevin McCullough, general manager of Cool Polymers, said that with the expansion at the new site, Cool Polymers will be able to better serve both their domestic and international customers. He explained that the move is based on a need to rapidly expand manufacturing capacity for CoolPoly and Xyloy products. Xyloy is an injection-moldable alloy that was introduced to the market in May 2008. The Quonset location will include a dedicated space for Xyloy presentations and training. MAKING WAY FOR MARINE FACILITY Mill Creek Marine, the only Rhode Island facility to provide factory authorized service for all five major outboard motor lines, has begun construction on its new sales, service and dry stack boat storage building at Quonset. Since acquiring Johnson's Boatyard in 2004, Mill Creek Marine has grown by 52%, according to president Jim Shriner. Completion of the project at Allen's Harbor is set for the fall of this year. It will include a service center to meet a growing demand as well as the state's first enclosed, "dry stack" marina - essentially an indoor valet garage for boats. The new facility will initially house 72 boats (up to 38' long), with plans to increase capacity for 168. Growth at NORAD, Cool Polymers and Mill Creek Marine are great examples of Quonset's ability to serve and support top businesses and industry leaders with a prime location, affordability and great amenities. Steven King, PE, is the managing director of the Quonset Development Corp., North Kingstown.