Goodison Shipyard Opens for Business
Goodison Company, a full-service marine company based at Quonset Business Park has opened its new ship repair facility on roughly six acres along Zarbo Avenue. J. Goodison’s expansion includes a $9 million investment by the company, including the addition of an 820-metric-ton mobile boat hoist.
The “Marine Travelift 820 C” is the largest lift in the Northeast.
The development of the shipyard was the result of a major effort across several public, private and non-profit entities. The Ocean State Business Development Authority (OSBDA) and Coastway Community Bank partnered to provide the essential financing for the project utilizing the Small Business Administration’s 504 loan program.
Thanks to the efforts of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) provided a $6 million grant to help replace the Zarbo Ave bulkhead.
The Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) contributed $1.5 million in matching funds for the EDA project.
Construction of the new bulkhead was completed earlier this year. “This new waterfront shipyard will allow us to service our customers better, more efficiently, and at more competitive prices with an expanded portfolio of services,” said Jack Goodison, owner/partner of J. Goodison Company.
“The cooperation and professionalism we had from the QDC was instrumental in this shipyard coming to fruition. We are indebted to them, as well as OSBDA, Coastway, and the SBA for all of their efforts to get us the critical financing to grow our company.
“Goodison Company is a full-service marine operation, offering drydock repairs, dockside services, welding, UHP blasting and painting services, cleaning services, mechanical repairs, 24/7 emergency support, inspection services, and electrical/electronic repairs.
In 2010, Jack Goodison was named the Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the same year the company moved its headquarters to Quonset Business Park.
Today, there are more than 200 companies at Quonset, nearly 11,000 people working in full and part-time jobs, and just over 265 acres left for development at the 3,200 acre business park.