The Quonset Business Park now employs more than 15,000 workers, a milestone state officials celebrated Monday at an event marking two decades of growth at the industrial complex.
Gov. Dan McKee joined federal and state leaders at Hayward Industries to announce the employment figure, which represents growth of more than 3,000 jobs since January 2021 when his administration began.
The 3,200-acre business park in North Kingstown houses 252 companies across various industries. The facility consistently ranks among top business parks nationally, and its Port of Davisville is one of North America’s 10 largest auto importers, according to state officials.
Owen Surette of Providence, recently hired by Hayward Industries as a material planning specialist, was recognized as the park’s honorary 15,000th employee. Surette graduated in May from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in supply chain management and finance technology.
Since the Quonset Development Corporation was established in 2005, public investments in infrastructure have attracted $2 billion in private investment and helped create nearly 10,000 jobs, according to the state agency.
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said he has helped direct more than $600 million in federal funding to Quonset over the years.
“Today’s milestone shows that decades of federal and state investments have paid off,” Reed said.
The business park generates $5.9 billion in annual economic output and $1.7 billion in annual household income, according to figures provided by the Quonset Development Corporation.
Steven J. King, the corporation’s managing director, called the employment milestone “an accomplishment that represents the collective efforts of hundreds of people who worked over several decades.”
Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, who chairs the QDC board, said continued investment in sites like Quonset supports current jobs while preparing for future economic growth.
Hayward Industries, where Monday’s announcement took place, employs more than 250 workers at its Quonset facility manufacturing pool equipment and automation systems. The company moved to the business park in 2004.