Raytheon, Portsmouth, wins $11.7 Navy contract
PORTSMOUTH – The Raytheon Naval & Maritime Integrated Systems, located here, has been awarded a. $11.7 million contract by the Navy to produce two devices to be used with helicopter-towed sonar systems designed to neutralize the threat of underwater mines. The work to be done in Portsmouth is scheduled to be completed by February 2003. Announcement of the contract award was distributed by the office of Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy.
Airport Corporation director leaving for Ohio post
WARWICK – Elaine Roberts, executive director of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, announced that she will be leaving Rhode Island to become executive director of the Columbus Municipal Airport Authority in Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Roberts, who has served in the Rhode Island post since 1994, will leave Dec. 1, 2000 for the Ohio position where she will begin Dec. 18. The Ohio agency operates the Port Columbus International Airport seven miles north of downtown Columbus as well as nearby Bolton Field. Herb Cummings, chairman of RIAC praised Ms. Roberts, noting that she “has been instrumental in attracting new carriers and new service to the market (and) done an outstanding job overseeing the construction and development of the new terminal, four-gate expansion, parking garage and Federal Inspection Services facility with an incredible sensitivity to the local Warwick community.” Cummings said RIAC will began a national search to find a new executive director as quickly as possible.
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NBC executive to address annual Chamber dinner
PROVIDENCE – Attendees at the 132nd annual Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce dinner November 20 will hear Jay Ireland, president of NBC Television Station give the keynote address. Ireland has been president of NBC Television Stations since November 1999. At that dinner, the chamber will also present awards for ambassador of the year, manufacturer of the year and small business leader of the year.
HUD awards $1 million for housing vouchers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $1,213,267 to the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Financing Corporation and three communities in the state to help low-income residents obtain decent housing. With that money 203 Section 8 Fair Share Vouchers will be awarded. RIHMFC will receive $491,107 for 71 vouchers; Cranston, $222,200 for 40 vouchers; Cumberland, $284,960, and Pawtucket, $215,000 for 40 vouchers. The program enables qualified recipients to pay no more than 30 percent of their income as rent. HUD pays the balance. The announcement came from the office of Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee
Anti-domestic violence clinic gets $251,136
PROVIDENCE – The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $251,136 to Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. in Providence to support legal assistance for programs for victims of domestic violence. The award is based on the Violence Against Women Act and follows an earlier grant. It is estimated that the combined awards will provide legal assistance and representation to 400 women. RILS, collaborating with volunteers at six shelters for women around the state, will also use the award to counsel shelter residents, publish a manual outlining legal remedies for victims of domestic violence, hire two lawyers, four advocates and additional support staff. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee, whose office announced the grant, is a co-sponsor of legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
BankRI reports conversion to holding company
PROVIDENCE – Bank Rhode Island announced that it had completed its conversion to a bank holding company, Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc. Merrill W. Sherman, president and chief executive officer, said the move would give the bank more financial flexibility but will not affect the bank’s customers or their accounts. A one for one exchange of stock will be made for Bank Rhode Island stockholders who will be given the new Bancorp stock, which will continue to be traded on the NASDAQ exchange.
R.I. Convention Center reports 16 percent revenue hike
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Convention Center Authority reported revenue for the year ending June 30 reached $38 million, a 16 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. Of that revenue the Westin hotel, which the authority owns, produced $26.6 million. Interest and debt payment on the hotel were listed at $19.2 million for the fiscal year. The convention center continued to lose money, as predicted at this stage, losing $2.5 million, about as much as the previous year. Meanwhile, the Westin produced a profit of $8.4 million and the garages for the center made a profit of $3.7 million.
Contract awarded for design of Job Corps facility
EXETER – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $1,457,771 contract to Miller Dyer Spears, Inc. to design a Job Corps facility planned for Exeter. The former Ladd Center is the proposed site for the Job Corps project. It will consist of a combination of new and existing but renovated buildings. The result will include a new dormitory, construction trade vocational building and renovated educational, recreational and administrative space. Work on the approximately 110,000 square feet of space will include general landscaping, roads, parking, drainage, connection to all utility lines, provisions for appropriate sewage treatment and lighting.
Chief Justice Weisberger announces retirement plans
PROVIDENCE – Chief Justice Joseph Weisberger, appointed Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court in 1995 by Gov. Lincoln Almond announced in an interview with WJAR-TV that he plans to retire, perhaps as early as next July. Weisberger was appointed a state judge in 1956, serving on the Superior Court and continued in that capacity until he was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 1978 by then Gov. J. Joseph Garrahy. He is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard University Law School and was elected to the state Senate in 1953 and served that body as minority leader. He also served as town solicitor for Glocester and town moderator in East Providence. In a statement Governor Almond said, “On behalf of all Rhode Islanders, I want to express our deep gratitude for Judge Weisberger’s years of public service.”
