| R 385 |
| 2023 -- S 1094 Enacted 06/06/2023 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| CELEBRATING JUNE 6, 2023, AS "QUONSET DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Valverde, F. Lombardi, Picard, Tikoian, Lombardo, Felag, Gu, Lauria, and Cano |
| Date Introduced: June 06, 2023 |
| WHEREAS, Created in 2004 by the General Assembly and effective in January of 2005, |
| the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) is a quasi-state agency governed by an 11 member |
| Board of Directors and charged with the mission to develop and manage the Quonset Business |
| Park (QBP) “in accordance with the QDC Master Land Use and Development Plan and in the |
| best interests of the citizens of Rhode Island in order to attract and retain successful businesses |
| that provide diversified jobs”; and |
| WHEREAS, In 2005, as QDC assumed its new role at the Business Park, Steven J. King, |
| P.E. was named Chief Operating Officer of the Development Corporation, and in 2008, rose to |
| the position of Chief Executive and Managing Director. A distinguished graduate of the |
| University of the Rhode Island and a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Mr. King’s deep |
| knowledge and background in real estate development, planning, engineering and construction, as |
| well as public works administration, civil engineering and site planning has been a driving force |
| behind the success of Quonset; and |
| WHEREAS, Since the creation of the QDC in 2005, the Quonset Business Park has |
| increased its developed area by 626 acres, adding 4.3 million square feet of new facilities, and |
| attracting new investment by the private sector totaling more than $1.85 billion; and |
| WHEREAS, As southern New England’s premiere business park and leading economic |
| engine for the State, as of 2022, QBP hosts 13,033 jobs including, 7,680 high-paying |
| manufacturing jobs, 1,178 Rhode Island Air and Army National Guard personnel, while |
| generating an additional 11,281 indirect and induced employment opportunities throughout the |
| State, which amounts to 24,681 equivalent jobs, a staggering 5 percent of all employment in |
| Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, In addition, tax revenues from the QBP were $169.1 million in 2022, which |
| have greatly contributed to the local, state and federal levels overall fiscal well-being; and |
| WHEREAS, Wages at the QBP are 10% higher than the average in Rhode Island, |
| generating $1.7 billion in household income for Rhode Island families: and |
| WHEREAS, The future benefits from the QBP’s continuing development is also looking |
| bright, with 82.2 acres currently being negotiated for usage and 156.9 acres of highly-valued, |
| developable land yet to be utilized but which is estimated to boost the Park to $2.1 billion in labor |
| income for RI households by 2030; and |
| WHEREAS, The Quonset Development Corporation and the Quonset Business Park have |
| provided countless families with security, strengthened our state’s economy, and are working to |
| provide a brighter tomorrow for future generations of Rhode Islanders; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims June 6th of |
| 2023, to be “Quonset Day” and commends their efforts to ensure a secure and prosperous future |
| for all Rhode Islanders; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Steven J. King, P.E., Managing Director, |
| Quonset Development Corporation. |
| ======== |
| LC003158 |
| ======== |