Sailing into the Future: Rhode Island's Electric Seaglider Revolution

In the heart of Rhode Island, something exciting is brewing. Regent, a seaglider manufacturer, is building a new facility in North Kingstown. This isn’t just any facility; it’s where all-electric gliders will be produced. These gliders can hit speeds of 180 miles per hour and travel up to 180 miles on a single charge! The groundbreaking ceremony took place recently at Quonset Business Park. Regent will lease the space for 25 years. Regent has already received over 600 seaglider orders, totaling more than $9 billion from leading airline and ferry operators worldwide. They’ve also raised over $90 million from investors like 8090 Industries and Lockheed Martin. The company moved from Burlington, Massachusetts, to North Kingstown in 2022. The new facility promises to create around 300 new jobs initially, with the potential to reach up to 750 jobs over the next decade. Governor Dan McKee praised the project, noting that it enhances Rhode Island’s status as an innovation hub. The state has backed the project with investments, including $1 million through the “First Wave Closing Fund Act” and commitments of $3 million under the “Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit Act” and up to $13 million under the “Qualified Jobs Program. ” Regent’s CEO, Billy Thalheimer, sees this as a significant milestone. He believes it brings them closer to meeting the global demand for their eco-friendly seagliders. The facility is set to open in mid-2026, proving that the Ocean State is indeed at the forefront of the blue economy.