Taco Breaks Ground for Expansion

, one of the city’s largest manufacturers, broke ground on an $18 million expansion project to modernize and expand its facility on Cranston Street

The centerpiece of the project is a new Taco Innovation and Development Center, where the company will train employees and conduct research.

The current building, a former trolley barn built in 1904, will be expanded with a 24,037 square foot addition. The space will bring new classroom spaces, conference rooms, a business center and teaching and testing labs. On display throughout the facility will be company products and systems in what the company describes as “living laboratories” for close-up viewing.

“The Center will utilize, display and provide a hands-on learning environment for the best equipment and systems that today’s HVAC industry offers for comfort, efficiency and sustainability,” the company said in a release.

In addition, the reception area for the company headquarters will “undergo extensive renovation, floor to ceiling,” and new offices and work stations will be added.

The project will be LEED-certified and open areas will be illuminated by energy efficient lighting and natural light.

“Taken together, these major improvements to Taco’s physical infrastructure will provide us with a new home for the coming decades,” said John Hazen White, Jr., the third generation owner of Taco. “The new Taco Innovation & Development Center will be a showcase for our industry, where members of our professional community will learn about the latest technology and applications our industry has to offer. We look forward to the completion of this project when we can begin sharing this amazing facility with them.”

It’s the largest expansion ever for the 69-year-old company. With the “ambitious project,” White said, “Taco is committing itself further to the growth and success of our employees, our customers and our industry.”

As state and regional manufacturing declined in recent years, Taco has been a bright spot in the industry and for the city. A major employer, the expansion project will employ 36 subcontractors and create about 200 jobs for the local economy and “addresses the company’s short and long term needs for remaining in Rhode Island.”