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July 13, 2007

Update: Quonset Point CEO departs after 4 years

NORTH KINGSTOWN -- Saul Kaplan, the head of the state Economic Development Corporation, has announced the departure of the top official at the Quonset Development Corporation, the division of the EDC that runs Quonset Point.

Geoff Grout was appointed chief executive officer of the QDC in April 2003. Yesterday was his last day in the position, according to Melissa L. Withers, an EDC spokeswoman.

In a statement this morning, Kaplan called Grout a "real estate professional," and he said Grout had made an "important contribution" to the development of the 3,000-acre former Navy base.

But Quonset has struggled to attract major new tenants in recent years. The $120-million Quonset Gateway proposal, which would have brought a retail, hotel and office complex to the entrance of the business park, was rejected in March by the State Planning Council.

In announcing the personnel change, Kaplan cited the need "to strengthen the QDC's relationships with key stakeholders," including the legislature.

“I am pleased that the Quonset Development Corporation is reaching out to improve relationships with the General Assembly," House speaker William J. Murphy said in a statement this morning. "Quonset Point is our state’s number one asset and offers the greatest potential to attract good-paying jobs. The Assembly is ready and willing to work with all parties involved to develop a brighter vision for moving Quonset Point forward.”

-- Journal staff writer Benjamin Gedan.

Posted by Jack Perry  at 12:36 PM | Permalink

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