When employees are asked to describe the culture at this well-established financial investment company, they usually respond with the word, “family.” At Edward Jones, it’s a business model built on face-to-face time with its clients and the encouragement of leadership to help associates navigate personal conflicts. Whether it’s extra time off, special pay arrangements, a health-benefits exception or preventative programs to prevent a crisis, they offer the backing to put family first. more

After outstripping national growth in recent years, the Massachusetts economy has “dropped into a lower gear,” according to the Leading Economic Index released Thursday by the MassBenchmarks editorial board. more

Diego Luis Perez, co-owner of Flan Y Ajo restaurant on Westminster Street in Providence, wanted to open a wine bar. more

In its annual construction-industry economic report, Gilbane Building Co.predicted a downturn in construction spending in early 2013. more

At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the Narragansett Bay Commission broke ground on a part of Phase II of its combined sewer overflow abatement project, at the Rite Aid parking lot at 80 Manton Ave. in Providence. more

Construction employment declined in 162 out of 337 metro areas, including the Providence-Fall River-Warwick and the New Bedford metro areas, from June 2011 and June 2012, according to a report from the Associated General contractors of America. more

Year over year in May, construction employment declined in 164 out of 337 metro areas, including the Providence-Fall River-Warwick metro, according to data released Tuesday by the Associated General Contractors of America. more

Quonset Development Corporation has partnered with a developer to build the first of what could be more than a dozen buildings with flexible office space for startups and small businesses in Quonset Business Park. more

The R.I. Economic Development Corporation Monday night approved issuing bonds to buy the former Interstate 195 land in Providence and dredge the channel leading to the Port of Davisville in North Kingstown. more

Nortek Inc. reported net income of $18.5 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, during the second quarter of 2012, compared with a net loss of $31.9 million, or $2.11 per diluted share a year earlier, the company announced late Thursday. more