Rhode Island’s Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor and North Kingstown Town Council members Richard Welch and Kevin Maloney toured the construction site of Finlays new global research and development center at Quonset Business Park this week. They were joined by Finlays’ CEO Steve Olyha, Finlays’ Vice President of Operations Nigel McGinn, and the Quonset Development Corporation’s Managing Director, Steven King. Finlays is a global leader in the development and distribution of tea and coffee extracts. Construction of the new site began in late December and the project is anticipated to add 73 full-time jobs and increase the state’s GDP by $15.3 million.
“Finlays is another example of a globally important company that is planting a flag in Rhode Island—drawing upon and growing our innovation ecosystem,” said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor, who also serves as Chair of the Quonset Development Corporation Board of Directors. “Finlays joins renowned companies such as Johnson & Johnson, GE Digital, Virgin Pulse, and A.T. Cross that are landing and expanding in our state. We’re excited to see them grow and today’s tour was a great sign of things to come.”
Finlays new facility at Quonset will include 93,000 square-feet of building space and will cost approximately $54.3 million investment for construction and fit out. The project is planned to be completed in two phases. The first phase will consist of a 28,800 square-foot global research and development facility and pilot plant. The second phase will see the construction of a 65,000 square-foot full-scale manufacturing and distribution plant.
“Quonset has established itself as a leading engine of economic development in Rhode Island. With nearly 11,000 jobs at more than 200 companies the Quonset Business Park is a true Rhode Island success story. Finlays will add another chapter in that success and we’re looking forward to working with them on this exciting project,” said Steven J. King, the Managing Director of the QDC.
