Tagged: economy

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, RI – Gary Sasse of the Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership at Bryant University stopped by our studio to talk about pensions, economic development and more. Here's Rhode Island Public Radio political reporter Ian Donnis.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.org

By CATHERINE WELCH

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is holding a pair of meetings next week seeking input on tolls planned for the Sakonnet River Bridge. Federal funding helped pay for the new bridge and at the time of construction tolls were not an option. But now that tolls are likely, the state needs to check back with the public as part of a re-evaluation process. RIDOT will cover where transportation funding comes from, and how tolls fit into the picture.

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, RI – A group that lobbies for cities and towns is applauding talks aimed at resolving a looming pension crisis in Cranston. Cranston Mayor Allan Fung is planning to sit down with a group of retired firefighters and police officers.

By LYDIA ROGERS and KIM KALUNIAN

PROVIDENCE, RI – Saturday is National Small Business Saturday, a day to draw attention to the importance of locally-owned businesses.

President of the North Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, Deborah Ramos says this year the Chamber will offer a shuttle connecting stores in North Scituate, North Providence, and Johnston.

"The shuttle bus will loop around and make those three stops. And then also during that visit we will be making a brief stop for a small for a light lunch. All for ten dollars."

By FLO JONIC

By FLO JONIC and KIM KALUNIAN

PROVIDENCE, RI – The head of the Rhode Island Retail Federation has a pessimistic view of holiday sales in the Ocean State. While the National Retail Federation is predicting a robust four percent growth in holiday sales, Paul DeRoche, director of the Rhode Island Retail Federation, expects it to be half that locally. "The economy is slow. Consumer confidence is not that great. So I think we'll have about a 1.5% to 2% growth over last year."

By FLO JONIC

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Community Food Bank is out with its annual hunger report. Rhode Island now outranks Maine for having the highest level of food insecurity in New England.

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, RI – An infusion of 110 million in federal dollars will help to extend the main runway at T.F. Green Airport over the next five years. The money will also pay to mitigate noise and improve safety standards at the airport.

Senator Jack Reed was joined by local and state officials in announcing the availability of the money. Reed calls it an important step for improving one of the state's big economic generators.

By ELISABETH HARRISON

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Foundation has rolled out a list of projects it would like to see worked on as part of its Make It Happen initiative. Hundreds of leaders in business, health care, the arts and other industry brain stormed for two days last month on ways to turn around the state's economy.

By LYDIA ROGERS

PROVIDENCE, RI – Gasoline prices are up in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts; although the prices are slightly better in Massachusetts.