Pawtucket lands LOA expansion
PAWTUCKET – Providence-based Log On America, an integrated communications provider, has announced plans to expand its operations in Pawtucket. The company will develop its new Customer Care-Network Operations Center at facilities it currently has at 710 Narragansett Park Drive. The operation will mean 200 new jobs by the end of 2001, according to LOA officials.
LOA worked closely with representatives of the City of Pawtucket and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation in securing the expanded facilities – that government assistance included a $1 million bond issued by the Rhode Island Industrial Facilities Corporation.
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At a State House press conference announcing LOA’s expansion, Chief Executive Officer David Paolo said he is looking for Pawtucket to be a major telecommunications hub for Log On America.
”Log On America looks forward to igniting a technological revolution in Pawtucket,” said Paolo.
Convention Center reports revenue increase
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Convention Center has reported a $6 million or 18 percent increase in total revenue in Fiscal Year 2000 compared with Fiscal Year 1999. Total revenue from operations including the Convention Center, the Westin Hotel and parking totaled $38 million, the Convention Center Authority reported. The Fiscal Year ended June 30. The unaudited report showed the Convention Center’s net operating income increased by 7.5 percent, the Westin’s net increased 11 percent and the parking facilities up 5.5 percent. The increase in revenue reflects an increase in activity at the center, more than 50 additional events in FY 2000, the center reported.
Crowne Plaza to add 84 rooms at Crossings
WARWICK – The Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings will have 84 rooms next year to accommodate its new conference center and banquet facility, Carpianato Properties, Inc. the developer announced. Construction of the addition is scheduled to begin next spring. Work on the 39,000 square foot grand ballroom and rotunda is already under way. Carpianato’s announcement said the additional rooms would be built behind the existing facility adjacent to the ramp to Route 95.
Two new barges to be built at Quonset
NORTH KINGSTOWN – SENESCO announced that it will build two barges for the Hughes Bros. of Edison, N.J. The 150-foot barges will be the fourth and fifth such vessels built by the Southeastern New England Shipbuilding Corporation. The company is located in two former seaplane hangars at the former Quonset Point Naval Air Station, now the Quonset/Davisville Industrial Park. Delivery of the barges is scheduled for December and February, SENESCO reported.
GTECH rejected by British lottery commission
WEST GREENWICH – GTECH Holdings Corp. announced that Camelot Group, the consortium to which GTECH supplies software for the British Lottery, has been rejected by the United Kingdom Lottery Commission in its bid for a new seven-year contract. Camelot has run the lottery since it began in 1994. It rejection this time was linked to recent problems with the software supplied by GTECH. That problem and other concerns led to a recent shakeup in the leadership at GTECH. The company’s current contract with U.K. Lottery continues through September 2001. A bid for the new contract by People’s Lottery headed by Virgin Group Ltd., GTECH’s principal competitor in Britain was also rejected by the U.K. commission, but a commission spokesperson said negotiations with that group would continue. Meanwhile GTECH had more positive news to announced: the New Jersey State Lottery has approved a five-year contract extension with the company, and the Missouri State Lottery has approved a two-year contract with GTECH.
Director appointed for Heritage Harbor
PROVIDENCE – Dan Crowley, supervisor of construction at the Bruce Sundlun Terminal at T.F. Green State Airport, has been appointed project director for the first phase of construction at Heritage Harbor history museum. The new museum is being built in the former South Street electrical generating plant of the Narragansett Electric Company. The company has donated the building to the non-profit organization for development of the museum.
Goodwill Industries seek contributions
WARWICK – Goodwill Industries and six related agencies of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence are seeking furniture donations for families affected by domestic violence. The agencies report that an average of 44 women and children spend the night in a shelter because of domestic violence, and that many leaving the shelter do so without any possessions other than their clothing. In order for them to re-establish their homes, they need what Goodwill describes as “gently used furniture,” which the agency tries to supply, but help is needed. Those able to do so are urged to call Cynthia Tyler at 861-2080, Ext. 132.
(Compiled from news reports and releases, print and electronic.)
