Langevin Starts Burrillville Tour at Smithfield Dave's Marketplace

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) spent the afternoon in Burrillville Monday, starting with a visit to Dave’s Marketplace in Smithfield for a presentation from Daniele Foods. 

Daniele, Inc. is a fast-growing, Burrillville-based business that hand-makes charcuterie — prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, confit and pates, primarily from pork. Daniele products are sold by other Rhode Island vendors, including Dave’s Marketplace, which hosted the Congressman for the presentation and product sampling by the company as their facility undergoes an expansion. Representatives from Daniele and Dave’s shared their experiences owning a business, and talked about ways to make it easier to do business in Rhode Island.

“We hear so much about the negatives in Rhode Island, but there is a lot to be proud of, too, especially when you look at locally-owned businesses like Daniele and Dave’s,” Rep. Langevin said. “Daniele has chosen to stay and expand in Rhode Island because they see the beauty and the potential of our state, and we need to support that investment by cutting red tape at the state level and doing a better job promoting our assets on the local and national levels.”

 “Rhode Island is known by many as a foodie destination, and I hope to work with businesses like Daniele to capitalize on that reputation and further strengthen our tourism and culinary industries,” Langevin said.

Following lunch at Dave’s, Langevin visited with constituents at the Burrillville Housing Authority complex on Ashton Court. Meeting in the Community Room, BHA residents got to know more about their representative. Burrillville was added to the Second District after redistricting in 2011, and Langevin is looking forward to spending more time in the town.

Langevin’s visit to Burrillville wrapped up on Sherman Farm Road, where the nationwide charity Homes for Our Troops and the Rhode Island Builders Association are building an accessible home for Marine Corporal Kevin Dubois, who was on his second deployment in Afghanistan when he lost both of his legs after stepping on an IED.

“It was such a privilege to meet Corporal Dubois and his wife, Kayla,” Langevin said. “Despite the adversity he has faced, Kevin has a positive outlook on life and this home could not be going to a more deserving and grateful individual.”

Dubois said he is “humbled” by the support he has received from the community. Homes for Our Troops has built 134 homes for wounded veterans to date, with another 38 on the way. The Burrillville property is being constructed by the Rhode Island Builders Association, which has coordinated the donation of time and materials from the many Rhode Island construction companies who have given to the project. Dave Caldwell, an officer in the builders association, led Langevin on a tour and said the group is aiming to have the property completed by the holidays.

“Homes for Our Troops is an exceptional organization, and Rhode Islanders should be proud to know that the Rhode Island Builders Association has jumped on board and its members have eagerly donated their time and talents in order to give a hero the home he deserves,” Langevin said.