Rhode Island unemployment at 3.9 percent
Rhode Island unemployment held steady at 3.9 percent in July, the same as June, but 0.3 percent lower than a year ago July and 0.1 percent below the national unemployment. The number of jobs in Rhode Island rose by 7,000 between July 1999 and July 2000, according to the state Department of Labor and Training. All major industries, with the exception of manufacturing, reported job gains, led by trade with 2,800 and services at 1,700. Manufacturing lost 100 jobs over the year period, DLT said. The growth in trade, DLT said, was in large part due to 900 new jobs in apparel and accessory stores, with Providence Place mall providing the bulk of those jobs.
Brown prepares to welcome 1,420 freshmen
Brown University will welcome 1,420 members of the class of 2004 during the University’s 237th opening convocation on Sept. 5 on The College Green. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. with a procession of faculty, administrator and students through the Van Wickle Gates. By tradition the gates open just twice a year – inward in the fall to admit new students and outward each May as graduates take their leave of the University. Meera S. Viswanathan, associate professor of comparative literature and East Asian studies will deliver the ceremony’s keynote address.
Rhode Island's Market Has Changed. Developers, Builders, Investors and Sellers Must Change With It.
By Emilio DiSpirito IV License Partner | Engel & Völkers Oceanside Leader | The DiSpirito…
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Textron Fastening Systems acquires company
TROY, Mich. — Textron Fastening Systems (TFS) announced the acquisition of Rego Mold and Tool, a leading supplier of primary tooling and plastic injection molded components for the wireless telecommunications market and other industries. Rego will join TFS’ – Advanced Solutions group (formerly known as InteSys Technologies), headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona, which serves the wireless telecommunication, business equipment, and medical industries. Rego, based in Wheeling, Illinois, enhances TFS’ tooling, mold making, and overall engineering capabilities while providing close proximity to a number of core customers. Rego’s 1999 sales were approximately $10 million. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
URI researchers receive $6.1 million in grants
KINGSTON – Two University of Rhode Island researchers have received grants from the National Oceanographic Partnership Program to fund research into the development of oceanographic data collection and monitoring systems. Peter Cornillion, an oceanography professor, was awarded $4.6 million for development of an integrated regional, national and international oceanographic data system. Malcolm Spaulding, professor and chairman of the URI Department of Ocean Engineering, received $1.5 million to implement an integrated data monitoring and modeling system in Narragansett Bay.
Dare to Care program begins
PROVIDENCE – The United Way’s Dare to Care Campaign kicked off last Monday and will run though Sept. 29. Employees from more than 60 area companies will participate in what has become the largest volunteer corporate event in the state, with 66 community service projects at 66 United Way Agencies.
Citizen’s rating upgraded by Moody’s
PROVIDENCE – Moody’s Investors Service upgraded to Aa3 from A1 the long-term deposit rating of Citizens Bank of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group. The rating was undertaken in connection with the February 2000 rating upgrade of the bank’s parent, Royal Bank of Scotland.
Navy awards $4 million to URI
KINGSTON – The University of Rhode Island’s College of Engineering has been awarded a $4 million contract by the United States Navy to fund the National Student Services Program, a program that URI has operated since its inception in 1984. The program provides paid internships at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Middletown to graduate and undergraduate students from across the country. The new contract will run through 2005. The previous contract was to expire in September. Students majoring in engineering, computer science, mathematics, chemistry and physics, who participate in the program get to work on research projects with professional scientists and engineers at NUWC. URI is responsible for screening and hiring students and making travel arrangements for them. Typically, URI reported, about half of the 75 students hired each year are from URI. Students work about 20 hours a week during each semester, then 40 hours a week during the summer.
Almond seeks non-binding referendum
PROVIDENCE – Gov. Lincoln Almond has submitted an advisory referendum to the Secretary of State’s office to be placed on the November ballot dealing with the question of separation of powers in state government. The governor’s action was in response to two recent Supreme Court decisions upholding the General Assembly’s interpretation of the state Constitution and conceding to the General Assembly ultimate authority. Only the General Assembly has the authority under state law to order the Secretary of State to place a referendum on the ballot. Thus Almond’s request to the Secretary of State is advisory and has no binding authority. It simply asks, “Should a Constitutional Convention be called to expressly establish that Rhode Island government consists of separate and co-equal legislative, executive, and judicial branches similar to the governments established by the United States Constitution and by the Constitutions of all 49 other states?”
(Compiled from news reports and releases, print and electronic.)
