Marine Trades Company Announces Major Expansion at Quonset

Growth at Quonset Business Park, which is one of the most important economic engines for Rhode Island right now, continues with the announcement of a major expansion of a marine trades company.

On Wednesday, J. Goodison Company, a full-service marine trades company, announced that it plans to invest $8 million to add an 820-metric ton mobile boat hoist into a new ship repair facility on six acres along Zarbo Avenue.

The hoist will be delivered next spring and stands to claim the title of the largest lift in the Northeast.

“The new waterfront shipyard will allow us to service our customers better, more efficiently, and at more competitive prices with an expanded portfolio of services, over which we will have direct control,” said Jack Goodison, owner/partner of J. Goodison Company. “We believe our new shipyard will be a tremendous asset to the Quonset Business Park, North Kingstown and the entire State of Rhode Island.”

The company offers drydock repairs, dockside services, welding, UHP blasting and painting services, among other services.

Officials from the Quonset Development Corporation, which oversees the business park, along with state leaders heralded the expansion announcement as one more sign that the state’s economy is on an upswing.

“This development is another sign that Rhode Island is making a comeback,” said Governor Gina Raimondo. “The federal and QDC resources resulting in J. Goodison’s investments show that our state can help companies succeed here and bring more jobs to the Ocean State. More and more businesses are realizing that they can make it in Rhode Island.”

The expansion comes on the heels of recent data that shows the Port of Davisville in Quonset had its sixth consecutive record-breaking year of growth in the automobile import business. Nearly 200,000 cars will be imported at the port by year end.

Quonset Business Park is now home to more than 200 companies and 11,000 full and part time workers.

The park is nearing full development status. Just 265 acres remain undeveloped. The business park is 3,200 acres in all.

Photo courtesy: J. Goodison Company via Facebook