Business

(PROVIDENCE, RI) Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for a weekly business segment we're calling "The Bottom Line." Each Friday it looks at business news and themes that affect local business and the public.

This week Dave and Mark talk with Robert I. Burke, proprietor of the Pot au Feu restaurant in Providence. They discuss “Restaurant Week”, the value of Johnson & Whales, and how the industry is changing to accommodate younger diners.

When to Listen

(PROVIDENCE, RI)  Governor Lincoln Chafee says the latest jobless data shows Rhode Island’s economy is on the mend.  But the unemployment rate is still in double digits and still the highest in New England.

Rhode Island’s unemployment rate went from 10.4 percent in November to 10.2 percent in December.  But that’s not why the Governor called the news media to his office to  trumpet the data.  He’s energized by five key metrics used to calculate the jobless figure – all of which are moving in the right direction for only the second time in six years.
 

(PROVIDENCE, RI) The president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce says there was a lot to like in Gov. Lincoln Chafee’s State of the State address.

Chamber President Laurie White says last night’s address showed that the governor is serious about putting forth a pro-economic growth budget. She says she’s encouraged that the address came during a week that brought a new study and a legislative conference focused on the state’s economy.

(PROVIDENCE, RI) A report examining why Rhode Island’s business climate ranks poorly in national surveys is slated to be released Tuesday.

Rhode Island has repeatedly placed near the bottom in some national surveys on the business friendliness of different states. The new study – entitled “Moving the Needle” – was produced by the state Senate and the business-backed Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council.