11/27/2009

Jobs woes adding to R.I. housing troubles
Long-term unemployment has begun to adversely affect the rate of foreclosures, especially in Rhode Island

R.I. restaurants look for a boost in business this weekend
U.S. households expected to average $151 on food and beverage spending over the long holiday weekend

Downtown Providence condos heading for auction block
PROVIDENCE — Part of The 903, the 330-unit condominium complex marketed by former mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. soon after his release from prison, is headed for the auction block.

Nonresident pool sign up a success
NORTH PROVIDENCE — The town’s recreation department has signed up 123 more people for pool memberships, generating nearly $15,000 in new revenues for the program by letting people from other communities have the same recreational benefits as residents.

Budget woes continuing
The Fire Department is running over budget in a town already saddled with a huge deficit

11/26/2009

R.I.-area retailers prepare for the throngs
Some retailers will open as early as midnight

Journal considering fee for some content on projo.com
If a fee model is adopted, it wouldn’t be imposed until the first quarter of 2010

Commerce Digest
South Kingstown

Gem Plumbing & Heating gets state aid to install solar-power system
PROVIDENCE — Since it was founded in 1949, the Gem Plumbing & Heating Co. hasn’t been afraid to experiment with new technologies.

11/25/2009

Commerce Digest
Commodities

First step in attracting businesses: audit of available places
PROVIDENCE — In the race to attract new business to this state, effective marketing is critical.

11/24/2009

Commerce Digest
Providence

Commerce Digest
Providence

11/23/2009

Life has improved for Westerly’s Carrie Blanton and her children
Working her way back: Down but never out, Carrie Blanton is back to juggling her kids instead of her fears

R.I. businesses to pay higher jobless taxes
To replenish state unemployment fund, 30,000 companies will face an average 5.6-percent tax hike

Editorial: Vegas’s unreal economy
Less than two years ago, Sunbelt-and-sprawl advocate Joel Kotkin wrote in The Wall Street Journal that the future of American urbanism wasn’t in the “elite cities,” such as New York, Boston and San Francisco, but in “younger, more affordable and less self-regarding places.” His examples included Las Vegas.

R.I. cab company penalized for odometer scam
Yellow Cab loses some of its cab licenses, must pay as much as $100,000, and is placed on probation

11/21/2009

Brown’s supercomputer brings tasks down to earth
High-speed machine at Brown cuts months of labor off some research projects

R.I. jobless numbers come from 2 sources
When the state Department of Labor and Training released its monthly unemployment numbers Friday, the average Rhode Islander might have been confused.

R.I. jobless rate still leads New England
Despite a drop to 12.9 percent, the figure is not expected to fall to single digits until 2013

Brown’s supercomputer brings tasks down to earth
Multimillion machine at Brown cuts months of labor off some research projects

E. Providence School Committee trims $1.3 million from budget
Cuts made to comply with reductions ordered by City Council

East Greenwich Planning Board approves condominium project
EAST GREENWICH — A 15-unit condominium project that will provide some sorely needed affordable housing in town was unanimously approved by the Planning Board Wednesday night.

Warwick OKs development next to intermodal station
Hotel, garage, office and retail space will go up next to planned intermodal station

11/22/2009

Shoppers shun credit and turn to cold cash
The number of shoppers using credit cards is forecast to decline in 2009

Bankruptcies
For the week ending Nov. 17there were 93 personal cases filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, bringing the total for all bankruptcy filings to 4,604. There were 101 cases filed for this week last year. Two years ago for this week there were 57 cases. There were 3,721 cases on this date last year. Two years ago on this date there were 2,453. Chapter 7: Liquidation; Chapter 11: Reorganization; Chapter 13: Adjustment of debts of individual with regular income.

Rhode Island can be deadly for pedestrians, national report shows
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island has one of the highest proportions of pedestrian fatalities in the nation, according to a new study, along with one of the highest proportions of fatalities among elderly persons.

Providence homebuyer strapped for cash in dispute over deposit
PROVIDENCE — With painters and a carpenter working on the exterior of her three-family house on Brighton Street near Broadway, Susan Dupre has a lot of money going out, and not much money coming in.

Backers of Providence’s Heritage Harbor hopeful despite funding setbacks
Funding woes don’t stop museum backers from planning for the future

11/20/2009

R.I. jobless rate dips, but 73,000 are still out of work
For the first time in nearly three years, Rhode Island’s unemployment rate dropped, to 12.9 percent in October, offering a faint but reassuring sign that the state’s economy may be on the road to improvement.

In Providence, a crescent of green business sprouts
Providence cultivates a “green corridor” of companies working in alternative energy and with environmentally friendly products along a former industrial riverside

Owner of Providence Place mall restructures debt
Parent company of Providence Place reaches agreement with some of biggest lenders

R.I. legislative commission gets ideas on shared municipal services
Invited speakers propose areas of tax and dispatch as well as information technology

11/19/2009

National Grid objects to proposed cost of wind power
National Grid again rejects proposal from Deepwater Wind for electricity

Commerce Digest
RHODE ISLAND

11/18/2009

E. Greenwich town manager gears up for more budget cuts
EAST GREENWICH — With the fiscal year not even at the halfway mark, the town is going to have to find $330,000 in budget cuts and find them soon, Town Manager William Sequino has warned the Town Council.

11/17/2009

National Grid to boost conservation spending
National Grid said Monday it plans to spend $35.6 million in 2010 to encourage its electric and natural gas customers to conserve energy.

Newport, Annapolis consider tourism partnership
The two cities — similar in many ways — are discussing a partnership in tourism efforts

Now’s the time: Women advised to speak up in the workplace
Veteran newswomen tell forum it’s OK to seek work place flexibility

Conditions Index slips
An index that gauges the Rhode Island economy slipped in September from August, but its author, University of Rhode Island professor Leonard Lardaro, said the measuring stick improved over the comparable month a year ago.

Commerce Digest: Governor signs green-building standards law
Governor signs green-building standards law

11/16/2009

Little increase foreseen in seasonal employment
The days when clusters of eager store employees were ready to help with your holiday shopping are gone, yet another victim of hard times.

R.I. council has no say on LNG terminal in Mt. Hope Bay
Court rules agency waited too long to rule on terminal, which will require large-scale closing of bridges and boat traffic

COMMERCE DIGEST
Governor signs green-building standards law

11/15/2009

Experts say ‘green’ economy won’t save New England
Analysts say it will take years before sector has a large impact on New England economy

11/14/2009

CCRI is spread too thin to train 21st-century work force, report finds
With more than 70,000 Rhode Islanders out of work, hard questions are being asked of the state’s only community college and its ability to train Rhode Islanders for 21st-century jobs.

CCRI is spread too thin to train 21st-century work force, report finds
With more than 70,000 Rhode Islanders out of work, hard questions are being asked of the state’s only community college and its ability to train Rhode Islanders for 21st-century jobs.

Liz Claiborne closing Lincoln distribution center
The Lincoln facility, which employs about 100 workers, is expected to close this spring

11/15/2009

Thanksgiving meal should cost same or less than last year
Cash-strapped consumers looking to keep a lid on holiday spending in 2009 will catch a break for Thanksgiving because the cost of turkey and the fixings for the traditional meal should be about the same, or less, than in 2008, according to food industry members.

11/13/2009

Morfessis backed as head of EDC
Search committee recommends veteran of Arizona and Maryland agencies

11/12/2009

R.I. auditor general says cities and towns falling behind in covering pension obligations
Auditor general says some municipal plans are nearing insolvency

Rhode Island institutes tax break for organ donors
Also signed into law is a tax-related bill to boost collections on delinquent student loans

11/11/2009

Economists see R.I. last New England state to recover
BOSTON — As the rest of New England slowly claws its way toward economic recovery, Rhode Island will struggle to keep up, economists at the New England Economic Partnership predict.

Commerce Digest
Commodities

11/10/2009

Study: Offshore winds a mega-resource
Experts say that, if constructed, thousands of turbines could more than power nine coastal states

Commerce Digest: Nov. 10
NORTH KINGSTOWN

11/09/2009

A good fit, better life in Barrington
The Sweetbriar affordable housing development proves perfect for both its residents and Barrington

11/07/2009

Homebuyer tax break boosting sales in R.I.
Uncle Sam will now be paying just about anybody, it seems, to buy a house.

Homebuyer tax break boosting sales in R.I.
Uncle Sam will now be paying just about anybody, it seems, to buy a house.

11/06/2009

Few options in RI law to prosecute repeat suspended license offenders
WARWICK, R.I. _ Robert A. Notarianni arrived at District Court expecting he’d be walking right back out once he cleared up the little matter of his 17th charge of driving on a suspended license.

Plans progress for waterfront village at blighted East Providence site
The condo and retail development would include a public waterfront park, fishing pier and kayak launch

11/08/2009

Energy efficiency is the best way to keep costs down
Switching to cheapest heating fuel from year to year is a less reliable way to save than conservation

11/06/2009

Thousands of Rhode Islanders may be eligible for extra jobless benefits
The state Department of Labor and Training is poised to contact thousands of Rhode Islanders who may be eligible for extended unemployment benefits under a bill approved by the Congress Thursday that President Obama is planning to sign Friday.

Twin River seeks to hire former R.I. Lottery lawyer
Robert M. Silva was Lottery’s lawyer for 16 years before retiring in 2008

Cranston mayor vetoes mortgage measures
Ordinances setting new guidelines on foreclosures had been passed by City Council unanimously

CVS Caremark Corp. shares tumble
A reported $2-billion loss by its pharmacy-benefits division prompts a major stock sell-off

R.I.’s Betaspring helps start-up companies get off the ground
Providence firm wins praise at forum on the state’s knowledge economy

11/05/2009

Tax collections plunge in R.I.
Sales, personal-income and corporate tax revenue down from third quarter of 2008

Union concessions allow rehiring of E. Providence officers
EAST PROVIDENCE — With the mayor calling it historic, the City Council unanimously agreed to police contract concessions and changes that will give the city enough savings to bring back the 13 officers laid off in October.

•COMMODITIES
•COMMODITIES

11/03/2009

Jobless benefits may be extended
Sen. Jack Reed optimistic legislation to add 20 weeks will be sent to the president next week

Commerce Digest
PROVIDENCE

11/02/2009

Brown students put food in motion
PROVIDENCE — Several dozen students gathered at the snack bar of the engineering building at Brown University on Friday afternoon. They wanted food, of course. And when someone on a bullhorn said they could help themselves, they did.

R.I. to distribute $2.3 million in federal aid for energy-efficiency projects
State program aims at weatherizing homes heated by oil or propane

Sale of buildings, property seen netting city $810,000
To pay down the city’s debt or be applied to capital improvements

Agreement brings back 13 officers
City Council must approve deal that includes several police union concessions

11/01/2009

General Assembly passes bill to limit foreclosures
Advocates praise measure but say it doesn’t go far enough to help homeowners

10/31/2009

650,000 jobs claimed from U.S. help
About half the jobs saved or created by billions in federal spending are in education

Stimulus package report card shows 2,012 jobs created or saved in R.I.
PROVIDENCE — President Obama’s stimulus package has created or saved 2,012 positions in Rhode Island so far, according to the most detailed report yet on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Condo buyers at Carnegie Abbey sue for refunds
PROVIDENCE –– Three new lawsuits seek the return of deposits for luxury condominiums at the 22-story tower which opened in June at the exclusive Carnegie Abbey resort and golf club in Portsmouth.

11/01/2009

Providence Place owner, American Express launch no-expiration gift cards across U.S.
Providence Place mall owner General Growth Properties Inc. has coupled with American Express in the nationwide launch of gift cards with only an initial purchase charge and no expiration date, just in time for the 2009 holiday shopping season.

Beware of gift cards with strings attached
Gift cards will be the most popular item snapped up by New Englanders this holiday season, according to survey results released Wednesday. Unfortunately, not enough people have a clue about how to use them wisely.

In Rhode Island the luxury market goes green
Luxury-home developer Nick Downes, of Middletown, says that from now on, all of his projects will be designed to meet LEED — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — specifications, a set of standards formed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

10/30/2009

State says health insurer finances are healthy
While profits, surpluses dip, still well off compared with New England counterparts

10/29/2009

Housing sales show signs of recovery in R.I.
On the negative side, median sales prices continue to decline in the 3rd quarter

2 R.I. hospitals set to affiliate in 2010
Business arrangement linking St. Joseph Health Services and Roger William OK’d by attorney general

2 N. Providence firefighters suspended
NORTH PROVIDENCE — The town has issued 10-day suspensions to two firefighters who went home sick shortly after they were given work assignments that they disliked, Mayor Charles A. Lombardi said Wednesday.

Johnston panel OKs tax deal for Stuart Plaza development
JOHNSTON — A developer’s proposal to fund a $40-million revitalization project with $8 million in public financing won unanimous approval from the town’s five-member Redevelopment Commission late Tuesday afternoon.

Cranston City Council approves 2 foreclosure ordinances
The two ordinances OK’d by the City Council could be illegal, says the deputy city solicitor

10/27/2009

Federal data predicts a steady heating bill for Rhode Islanders this winter
Forecasters predict what it will cost Rhode Islanders to heat their homes — and how every turn of the thermostat affects their bill.

Laid-off officers in East Providence to be eligible for work details
The City Council approves the police chief’s request to add them to the list of officers who can be hired by private contractors.

10/25/2009

Verrecchia minces no words on economy
The General Assembly’s return to work this week for a two-day session and later this year for two economic summits will refocus Rhode Islanders’ attention on what state leaders are doing to pull the state from the worst recession since the Great Depression.

10/24/2009

Providence-based Nortek files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
The Providence-based company says the petitions are part of its restructuring plan.

$141.55-million city budget approved on split vote by council
The spending plan is $2.65 million less than what was budgeted this year, but it will raise taxes to the city-mandated maximum of 3.5 percent.

10/25/2009

Verrecchia minces no words on economy
The General Assembly’s return to work this week for a two-day session and later this year for two economic summits will refocus Rhode Islanders’ attention on what state leaders are doing to pull the state from the worst recession since the Great Depression.

For shoppers it’s the ‘Year of the Boring’
Retailers order fewer goods for the holidays to avoid being caught with a lot of unsold items.

For shoppers it’s the ‘Year of the Boring’
Retailers order fewer goods for the holidays to avoid being caught with a lot of unsold items.

No clear signs joblessness will ebb in Rhode Island
Although many regions of the country are getting more positive economic news, Rhode Island is still “muddling its way” through the recession. The 13-percent unemployment rate reported for September 2009 is the highest reported rate since 1976 when unemployment rates started being recorded using the methodology of the U.S. Bureau of Statistics. The number of unemployed Rhode Island residents increased to 74,000. Rhode Island is losing jobs at a faster rate than at any other time in the past 50 years and new job creation looks grim.

Bankruptcies
For the weeks beginning Oct. 7 through Oct. 20 there were 170 personal cases filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, bringing the total for all bankruptcy filings to 4,229. There were 128 cases filed for this week last year. Two years ago for this week there were 102 cases. There were 3,322 cases on this date last year. Two years ago on this date there were 2,199.

Hasbro chairman issues call to action
The General Assembly’s return to work this week for a two-day session and later this year for two economic summits will refocus Rhode Islanders’ attention on what state leaders are doing to pull the state from the worst recession since the Great Depression.

Mortgage transfers spur R.I. lawsuits
The foreclosure crisis shines light on a company some have blamed for enabling the mortgage securitization craze.

10/22/2009

Will the jobs R.I. lost to the recession ever come back?
The state has lost 9,000 manufacturing jobs in the last two years and economists are not optimistic they will be coming back.

Will the jobs R.I. lost to the recession ever come back?
The state has lost 9,000 manufacturing jobs in the last two years and economists are not optimistic they will be coming back.

10/21/2009

Cranston City Council considers rules aimed to slow foreclosures
“My goal is to keep people in their house,” says Councilman Mario Aceto.

Fewer R.I. customers lost gas, electric service this year
A utility company spokesman says the reasons for the drop are more public help and more customers setting up payment plans.

10/20/2009

Rhode Island can’t see if its tax breaks are doing their job
The state gave businesses $87 million in incentives in the last two years, but can’t verify whether the breaks produced jobs or any other economic development.

R.I. Commerce Digest
Verizon offers ‘quad-play’ package

10/19/2009

Unions fight tax break for AS220
The trade groups claim that Cranston-based Pezzuco Construction, the contractor hired by AS220, employs subcontractors that pay “sub-standard” wages.

R.I. banks among those paying dividends to U.S. for bailout
Three Rhode Island-based institutions say they’ve paid millions back to the Treasury Department.

Commerce Digest
Wood, Zymslinski honored by RIPEC

10/17/2009

Despite economy, R.I. consumers still find means to dine out
PROVIDENCE

National Grid rejects power offer from Deepwater Wind
The electric utility’s stance stymies Deepwater Wind’s plan to create a wind farm off Block Island.

With little precedent, cost of wind power up in the air
Only one other wind power cost contract in the U.S. has been negotiated with a utility.

R.I. reports 1,703 stimulus-created jobs
A breakdown of the jobs shows that almost all of them are tied to five state departments.

National Grid rejects power offer from Deepwater Wind
The electric utility’s stance stymies Deepwater Wind’s plan to create a wind farm off Block Island.

State joins appliance rebate
Rhode Island met the federal government’s Thursday deadline for devising a plan to encourage the use of energy-efficient home appliances, which will make about $1 million in sales rebates available to the state’s residents over the next three years.

10/18/2009

Low-priced Little Caesars pizza chain returns to R.I.
To save money, they’re opting for fast-food takeout meals, a trend that is bringing the low-priced pizza chain Little Caesars back to Rhode Island.

Inventory of unsold homes declines in Rhode Island
Although Rhode Island real-estate sales continue to be concentrated mainly in the lower end of the market, some high-end sales are occurring.

10/16/2009

Carcieri renews call to abolish corporate tax
Governor Carcieri tells business leaders the state needs a “game-changer” to attract more commerce.

Rhode Island unemployment rate reaches 13 percent
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island’s unemployment rate has hit a new high, fulfilling experts’ predictions that the state’s job market will get worse before it gets any better.

Left behind: Jon Polis has been jobless for 18 months
A growing number of Rhode Islanders, after spending months looking for work, are seeing the jobless benefits expire.

No increase in Social Security benefits come January
A decline in the annual rate of inflation in 2009 means that, for the first time, retires will not receive an automatice boost in their Social Security benefits in 2010.

No increase in Social Security benefits come January
A decline in the annual rate of inflation in 2009 means that, for the first time, retires will not receive an automatice boost in their Social Security benefits in 2010.

IRS sets 401(k), Social Security tax, exemption limits
Get out your pencils.

10/15/2009

Energy Office distributes $15 million in stimulus funds
The stimulus funds will be used largely to help weatherize the homes of low-income residents.

R.I. tourism expected to climb back
A mixed bag of data is unveiled to representatives of some 65 hotels, restaurants and travel businesses.

BankRI gives TARP sum back
PROVIDENCE — BankRI has returned the $30 million it received from the federal government under the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP –– plus additional money that also goes back to the government, the bank said.

10/14/2009

Commerce Digest
Incoming Textron chief to get pay hike

Rhode Island reaches settlement in lawsuit over timely food stamp distribution
The suit, filed by the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, charged that the state Department of Human Services denied assistance to families because of its delayed application process.

10/13/2009

R.I. economic report cites cost of Medicaid, fire protection
The executive director of RIPEC says his group’s report shows “a state that has a very high level of spending and a very high level of taxation.”

10/11/2009

Is EZ-Pass infringing on people’s privacy?
“The system knows where you are and when you pay,” says a lawyer for a civil-liberties group.

Is EZ-Pass infringing on people’s privacy?
“The system knows where you are and when you pay,” says a lawyer for a civil-liberties group.

10/10/2009

Power program producing savings
Brown students install compact fluorescent bulbs in low- and moderate-income homes.

10/11/2009

R.I. consumers find more temporary storefronts
As the recession takes its toll on established businesses, consumersfind more and more temporary storefronts across Rhode Island.

Number of real estate agents in R.I. down sharply
The state expects just 4,596 real-estate salespeople to renew their licenses in 2010 — a drop of nearly 35 percent since 2008.

10/09/2009

Last day for 13 E. Providence police officers
In a move to save the municipal budget $892,000, the city is cutting the police force to 87 officers as of today.

Last day for 13 E. Providence police officers
In a move to save the municipal budget $892,000, the city is cutting the police force to 87 officers as of today.

10/08/2009

Twin River owners withdraw bonus request
In a hearing last month on the bonuses for Twin River executives, a bankruptcy judge frowned on the request.

Council gets an earful on how to trim the budget
The City Council holds a four-hour budget hearing on the proposed spending plan for the fiscal year beginning Nov. 1.

Commerce Digest
Survey: R.I. housing is costly

10/07/2009

Biggest RI employees union OKs pay cuts
Council 94 members approve $36 million in concessions in exchange for a two-year no-layoff guarantee.

Realtors report 6-percent drop in R.I. house prices
The median cost of a single-family house is down 6 percent from 2008, to $220,000.

East Providence Council softens on budget cuts
In debating the city manager’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, some reduction ideas, such as the recreation center and library funding, may be spared.

10/06/2009

A new Workforce Alliance report says R.I. should focus on ‘middle-skill’ job training
The Workforce Alliance urges the state to focus its work-force investments in workers for that level.

10/05/2009

Property tax in R.I. near U.S. highest
Only three states are more punitive than Rhode Island with the levy, according to an index put out by the Tax Foundation.

RIPEC: State tax burden 15th highest

10/03/2009

Temp jobs increasing in R.I., but is it just seasonal?
Some say the increased hiring of temporary workers in Rhode Island points to greater job growth on the horizon, but others see it as a seasonal blip.

Briefing held on progress of proposed wind farms
The state’s congressional delegation supports the effort to build the first offshore wind farms in the nation.

RISD, Brown host ‘Better World by Design’ conference

Temp jobs increasing in R.I., but is it just seasonal?
Some say the increased hiring of temporary workers points to greater job growth on the horizon, but others see it as a seasonal blip.

10/04/2009

Project Hope helps put students to work
Rhode Island’s education system has its troubles, but here’s one slice of the system that works.

Rhode Island shoppers’ use of food stamps spikes
More than 10 percent of all Rhode Islanders use food stamps to make ends meet in the troubled economy, prompting more retailers to open their doors to those customers using the benefits.

Don’t be cut out of tax breaks
IRS representatives say many people do not take advantage of the savings available.

Rhode Island shoppers’ use of food stamps spikes
More than 10 percent of all Rhode Islanders use food stamps to make ends meet in the troubled economy, prompting more retailers to open their doors to those customers using the benefits.

Medicare options focus of forum in Cranston

10/02/2009

R.I. Commerce Digest
Twin River owners seek ‘transition’

R.I. Commerce Digest
Twin River owners seek ‘transition’

RISD, Brown host ‘Better World by Design’ conference
PROVIDENCE — Imagine a world of peace and harmony and environmentally beautiful by design.

10/01/2009

Providence, Quonset, New Bedford vie to be port in economic storm
Providence, Quonset and New Bedford are among those vying for part of a $1.5-billion federal transportation program.

Selection process for new EDC head delayed
Scheduling conflicts have delayed until mid-October a decision that was expected to be made by the end of September.

Federal judge in Providence throws out verdict against Microsoft
The software giant had been liable for a $388-million award in a patent-infringement case.

09/30/2009

Providence County poverty rate at 14%
The U.S. Census Bureau says it’s the highest rate for the four largest Rhode Island counties.

09/29/2009

95 north drivers face new pattern beginning Tuesday
Jersey barriers will split off one of the three highway lanes to the right in Providence, making it the only lane for northbound vehicles to get to the Broadway exit.

Excavator signals start of Johnston hotel project
Hartford Avenue to get $3.4-million makeover as part of the federal stimulus program.

Sharp decline in number of non-citizens in R.I.
As the economy declined in Rhode Island, so did the number of non-citizens living in the state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Commerce Digest
Twin River guards may receive OT