Facility Development: Davisville

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The U.S. Economic Development Agency is awarding the Port of Davisville an $800,000 grant for a facility upgrade.

Davisville Wins EDA Grant for Facility Upgrade 

U.S. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Rep. James Langevin (D-RI) announced on April 14 that the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA) will award a $800,000 federal grant for a facility upgrade at the Port of Davisville.

Terminals 4 and 5 at the Port of Davisville are new, federally-financed waterfront terminals, with a recently constructed steel bulkhead. T4 is currently used as storage for autos and other Ro/Ro cargo.

The EDA grant will cover 50 percent of the cost of the $1.6 million project to upgrade and expand Terminals 4 and 5 by installing a 650-foot concrete bulkhead cap, 5 cleats, 8 bollards, and 18 fenders to create two useable berths.

The berths could be used by small and medium commercial vessels, barges, offshore supply vessels, and government/military vessels. Among other things, says the port, they would meet the wind industry’s "demonstrated need" to berth small- and medium-sized vessels and barges (up to 250 feet in length) to load and/or discharge cargo and components for offshore construction activities.

"This is good news for increasing the port’s capacity and builds on the significant federal investments we’ve already made," said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations subcommittee which oversees EDA programs. "These funds will help accommodate more vessels, and ultimately more cargo and more jobs here in Rhode Island. I am pleased to have helped make these funds available, proud to have supported the Quonset Development Corporation’s grant application, and commend EDA for approving it."

The Quonset Development Corporation, which manages and operates the Quonset Business Park where the port is located, is a quasi-state entity for the state of Rhode Island. Quonset Business Park is home to over 175 companies, employing more than 9,500 people full-and part-time in a variety of industries. The Port of Davisville is one of the top auto importers in North America.

A 2012 economic impact study estimated about 90 jobs will be created as a result of this investment and other recent upgrades made in port infrastructure and the terminal berth project.

Aerial of Davisville showing, from right, Pier 1 (with green car carrier at berth), Pier 2 (gray car carrier), Terminal 4 (paved area) and Terminal 5 (gravel area).
Photo/Quonset Development Corporation