Quonset’s site readiness program preps new tenants for success - by Steven King

Quonset Business Park is Rhode Island’s premier business park and leading engine for economic growth, hosting over 200 companies that employ nearly 12,000 people. The park spans over 3,200 acres, with just under 215 acres of land still available for lease. For companies looking to grow at Quonset, the business park’s Site Readiness program can make the process much simpler.

Quonset Development Corporation’s (QDC) site readiness program provides potential tenants with an expedited permitting process to simplify site preparedness. The program, which offers pre-permitted, pre-engineered sites, is made possible by QDC’s collaboration with various state agencies including the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). 

The park has currently multiple pre-permitted parcels available for leasing to potential tenants. QDC worked closely with RIDEM and CRMC to pre-permit these available sites to meet all applicable environmental regulations. New tenants can break ground on these parcels ranging in size from 1.3 to 42 acres within 90 days of gaining site control. 

The benefits of this program are significant. For instance, a recent company that just opened its doors here was able to get to work in a new state-of-the-art facility exactly one year from their groundbreaking thanks in part to Quonset’s commitment to eliminate red tape and guarantee an efficient process. 

Each available parcel comes with a prepared due diligence package, including an environmental Phase 1 review, utility availability and capacity analysis, geotechnical soils review, concept site plans and permits, and a land title review. Available sites are already prepped for a variety of uses and ready for immediate development, making Quonset an ideal location for companies planning to grow.

Once a company takes advantage of site readiness, there are other advantages to being at Quonset, as well. Tenants benefit from numerous amenities, access to I-95, a modern freight rail line throughout the park and the Port of Davisville, Rhode Island’s only public port. Quonset’s convenient location in the heart of New England makes it an ideal place for companies to thrive.

The 200-plus companies that currently call Quonset home are a testament to QDC’s commitment to making the business park a desirable place to do business and thrive for years to come. The site readiness program allows Quonset to build on its success and is yet another reason Quonset remains a leader in economic development and job creation in Rhode Island. 

Steven King, PE, is the managing director of Quonset Development Corp., North Kingstown, R.I.