This week’s issue marks the return of PBN’s print edition, one more sign of Rhode Island’s slow comeback from March’s near economic shutdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Though the paper has continued to publish digitally on schedule throughout the pandemic, the last print issue was published March 20. The state’s business community then was reeling from crushing restrictions and an eventual stay-at-home order that emptied office buildings where many PBN subscribers worked.
Though many Rhode Islanders continue to work from home, offices are slowly refilling. And while the pandemic and its negative effects on businesses are far from over, Rhode Island is recovering. On Aug. 28, the state ranked No. 3 on CNN Business and Moody’s Analytics’ “Back-to-Normal Index,” which measures states’ economic recoveries from the pandemic.
Whether Rhode Island can sustain that progress depends first on its continued ability to control the spread of the new coronavirus.
The state has also launched a $45 million program to help reemploy the tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders who’ve lost jobs.
As this week’s cover story reports, Back to Work RI has so far lined up a dozen major companies that have verbally committed to hiring 3,000 workers who participate in job training.
Participating companies must follow through for the program to work, but the state has smartly aligned with industries, including banking and technology, in need of skilled workers.
With your support, PBN will continue to tell the story – online and now again in print.