The developers of the Cape Wind project off Cape Cod said they will work with the Federal Aviation Administration to resolve problems with the wind turbine project.

The FAA on Friday said the 130 turbines planned for the project could interfere with air traffic control radar systems. The FAA’s report said the rotating blades on the 440-foot tall turbines could cause unwanted “clutter” in the systems.

But the agency also said an upgrade to the radar facility at Otis Air Force Base could fix the hazard.

While a Cape Wind spokesman said the problem can be resolved, opponents said the report shows the Nantucket Sound project is in the wrong location.

Last month, the nation’s first offshore wind farm passed muster with the Minerals Management Service, the lead federal agency reviewing the project. The Interior secretary must now decide whether to award Cape Wind a lease.

Stockholders approve bank acquisition

Shareholders of Independent Bank Corp. (INDB:Nasdaq) said stockholders have approved the acquisition of Benjamin Franklin Bancorp (BFBC:Nasdaq), based in Franklin, Mass. More than 80 percent of the common stock voted to approve the merger, the company said. The merger is expected to close following final regulatory approvals. Independent Bank Corp. is the parent of Rockland Trust Co., based in Rockland, Mass., and previously acquired Slade’s Ferry Bancorp in Somerset.

EDC initiative launches Web site

Every Company Counts, a program run by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to assist small businesses, has launched a new Web site. The EDC started Every Company Counts in 2004. It organizes lectures — such as a seminar on Feb. 24 about “How to start and grow your small business” — and posts articles geared toward small businesses. The new Web site, in Spanish and English, includes a calendar of events.

Every Company Counts is also offering a free human-resources workshop, “Motivating Employees,” at 11 a.m. today at the EDC, 555 Valley St., Providence. Contact eperry@riedc.com or cal (401) 278-9174 for more information or to register. Stefan K. Regelmann, of JPJ Consulting, will share methods and tools that will help companies get the most out of their work force by building accountability, loyalty and intrinsic motivation at all levels.

Peanut recall widens to more stores

Stop & Shop, Rite Aid, Kmart and Shaw’s have added to the growing list of foods recalled because of possibly tainted peanut ingredients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified the source of salmonella-contaminated peanut butter and related products as a Georgia processing plant operated by the Peanut Corporation of America. The company’s peanuts, ground into paste or churned into peanut butter, are suspected of being at the root of salmonella poisoning that has struck 474 people in 43 states, including 4 in Rhode Island since September. The latest recalls announced by the FDA include: Rite Aid brand chocolate peanuts and mixed nuts; Super Kmart bakery products, including peanut butter cake, caramel apple cake and doughnuts; Stop & Shop’s Simply Enjoy brand of mixed nuts; and Shaw’s Supermarket parent Supervalu Inc.’s Happy Tails and Shoppers Valu brand multiflavored dog biscuits.

N.H. gambling bill laden with sweeteners

Supporters of a proposed casino and convention center in Hudson, N.H., have loaded an expanded gambling bill with sweeteners in hopes of building political support for their project. The bill, which would allow slot machines at New Hampshire racetracks, includes a 27-page amendment that would also allow three resorts combining casino gambling with hotel rooms, shops and other amenities such as Hudson’s 36-hole golf course. The amendment’s backers are trying to sweeten the deal by including money to restore commuter rail service to Boston from Nashua and to lower local taxes in neighboring towns. Greenmeadow Golf Club officials say the proposed $300-million complex would provide state and local economies with a much-needed boost.

‘Green roof’ proposed at Vt. airport

The Burlington, Vt., International Airport is hoping to expand its parking garage with what officials are calling “a green roof.” The $45-million expansion would include 1,400 additional parking spaces and would include solar panels and wind turbines that would be expected to cut the airport’s annual electricity bill in half. Burlington voters will be asked to approve the project on Town Meeting Day next month, but the cost will be paid entirely by revenues from the parking garage. If approved, the project could be completed by the fall of 2010.

Wind turbine company eyes ski mountain

The company that built the state’s first wind farm on a ski mountain in northern Maine in 2007 wants to build a smaller wind project on a ski mountain in western Maine. An official with First Wind said that towers have been erected to gauge the wind on Black Mountain in Rumford, home of the Black Mountain ski area. First Wind spokesman John Lamontagne said the company envisions 16 turbines that could produce 40 megawatts of electricity. The plan is in the early stages, but if it goes forward the turbines would be on the side of Black Mountain that doesn’t have ski trails. First Wind operates wind turbines on Mars Hill Mountain in northern Maine — the state’s first wind farm.

N.H. clinic developer pledges local hires only

The developer of a $100-million outpatient clinic in Manchester, N.H., says he intends to hire only New Hampshire workers for the construction project. Dick Anagnost says he wants to help the local economy, so he’ll consider bids only from companies that agree to use New Hampshire suppliers, laborers and subcontractors. That would seem to be good news for local contractors, but Gary Abbott of the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire opposes the idea. He’s worried that limiting the number of bidders could inflate prices and that similar requirements in some Massachusetts towns have hurt New Hampshire workers.

Early retirement offered at Harvard

Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass., is offering voluntary early retirement to some non-faculty employees in a move to cut costs. School spokesman Kevin Galvin said about 1,600 employees are eligible for the program announced to staff this week. A staff memo said those 55 and over with at least 10 years service will be offered the program. It will take effect first for the Arts and Sciences, medical and dental schools, and be extended next month to Harvard’s other schools. It follows salary freezes and a December letter asking deans to take a “hard look” at staffing levels. Harvard’s endowment, whose earnings have provided income for operating costs, fell 22 percent in the last four months of last year to $28.7 billion. The university has said it could drop 30 percent for the fiscal year ending in June.

Planned furlough days at UMaine scrapped

The University of Maine System and its employee representatives say furlough days have been dropped as an ingredient in budget-balancing. System officials and employee bargaining agents issued a joint statement Friday announcing the mutual agreement. According to the statement, a financial shortfall associated with state support levels and investment losses has largely been addressed for six of the seven universities through other cost reductions. The joint statement cautioned that new financial challenges related to enrollments, net investment loss and other shortfalls must still be addressed.

Norwood’s Novamerican Steel changes name

Norwood, Mass.-based Novamerican Steel Inc. has changed its name to Barzel Industries Inc. Its common stock and warrants will continue to trade on the Nasdaq, but the ticker symbols TONS and TONSW, respectively, will change, effective today, to TPUT and TPUTW, respectively. Barzel has operational hubs in Mississauga, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec, and offers a wide range of metal processing to a variety of industries, from construction and industrial manufacturing to finished commercial racking products.

Presses stop at northern Maine weekly

The publisher of a northern Maine weekly newspaper says the poor economy and a sharp downturn in advertising are to blame for his decision to shut down the paper. The Katahdin Times hit the stands for the last time on Thursday. The paper had been a mainstay in the Millinocket region since the early 1970s. Publisher Bob Pushard said advertising revenue has fallen 10 percent to 15 percent as businesses in the area falter in the economic downturn. He said he hopes a new owner can relaunch the paper and its Internet site.