MAYOR BALDELLI-HUNT ANNOUNCES MASSACHUSETTS
MANUFACTURER PLANNING TO RELOCATE TO WOONSOCKET
WOONSOCKET, R.I.: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt announced today that RESH Inc. has agreed to relocate its manufacturing operations from Franklin, Massachusetts to Woonsocket. Mayor Baldelli-Hunt stated that her Administration has successfully facilitated an agreement in principal between RESH and First Mendon Corp., whereby RESH will purchase 6.1 acres owned by First Mendon Corp. to construct a new 65,000 square foot office and manufacturing facility. The new building will be constructed on Plat 51A, Lot 1, which is located on Park East Drive near the entrance to the Highland Corporate Park.
As explained by the Mayor, the Agreement is contingent upon the City’s approval of a tax-stabilization agreement (TSA). The Agreement is also contingent upon the completion of site design and permitting, which will be managed by the City in partnership with The Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island, Inc. (“EDFRI”). EDFRI and the City received a site-readiness grant from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which will be used to underwrite some of the engineering and permitting costs.
RESH Inc. is a precision sheet metal fabrication company that also offers machining, engineering and design services. RESH Inc. is a family business and has been in operation for over 33 years. RESH currently employs 35 people, a third of which are Woonsocket residents. As stated by Scott Langley, President of RESH, “Woonsocket is a great city with a rich history in manufacturing. I am excited with the opportunity to grow my company in Woonsocket. We have been impressed by the responsiveness of the City and EDFRI to manage the site planning and permitting tasks that have made this relocation possible.”
Mayor Baldelli-Hunt recognized the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation for its important role in this project. As stated by the Mayor, “Commissioner Pryor played a critical role in working with RESH Inc. during its consideration of relocating its operations to Rhode Island. The Commerce Corporation also awarded the Site Readiness Grant that enabled EDFRI and the City to quickly proceed with site engineering and permitting, which were requirements to RESH committing to purchase the site.”
“We are pleased that RESH, Inc. is relocating to Rhode Island — thanks in part to the Governor’s economic development programs,” said Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. “There is a long and rich history of manufacturing in Rhode Island generally and in Woonsocket particularly. So, it’s great that this new industrial facility will be built right in Woonsocket. This company will not only fabricate metal components for several industries including medical laboratories but also employ more than 35 Rhode Islanders as engineers, managers and operators. Thank you to Governor Raimondo, the General Assembly, and Mayor Baldelli-Hunt for their efforts to make this project a reality.”
Mayor Baldelli-Hunt explained that a Purchase and Sale Agreement between the parties has been executed; however, is contingent upon the City Council’s approval of the TSA. The Mayor also stated that EDFRI has solicited proposals from civil engineering firms and engaged the services of Crossman Engineering who is engineering the site and access road, as well as coordinating local and State permitting. RESH Inc. has hired Bowerman Associates of Rhode Island to design and build their new facility. RESH hopes to be under construction by August of this year, and to commence operations in Woonsocket by August of 2021. The building will be constructed by Bowerman Associates, Inc. of Providence.
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