NEWPORT – The International Yacht Restoration School has expanded its scholarship opportunities for students applying to the school’s three full-time programs. more

Elected officials and others representing the region’s defense industry recently crowded around the cockpit of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II, waiting their turns to hop in the pilot’s seat, taxi the fighter jet down the runway and launch into the skies on a government mission – all without leaving the confines of the R.I. Department of Administration building, that is. more

Though diminished in size, manufacturing still exhibits a strong presence in the regional economy and in the job-growth policies of political leaders. more

Toray Plastics (America) Inc. on May 2 unveiled new $15 million coating equipment at a ribbon-cutting at its North Kingstown campus. The technology will allow the company to better meet global customer demand for industrial and packaging films made with advanced specialty layers. The investment is part of a technology-integration plan the company, which employs more than 600, expects will create 20 jobs. From left: Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee; Rick Schloesser, president and CEO of Toray Plastics (America); Senate President M.Teresa Paiva Weed and House Speaker Gordon D. Fox. more

Rhode Island is still a good place for innovation and expansion in the jewelry industry, said Marcos Fountoulakis, president and CEO of Johnston-based Dama. more