Edward M. Mazze - Providence Business News

CHUGGING ALONG: Matt Bosgraaf, right, owner of the Kayak Centre in North Kingstown, adjusts the pedal drive system on a fishing kayak in the store’s showroom. With him is John Van Ness, the store’s product specialist. Bosgraaf says the business is growing, helped by the recent acquisition of a kayak rental business.  PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

AT WHAT COSTS? PBN survey: Businesses haven’t lost all hope despite...

Cover Story 09/25/2026

Rhode Island business owners and executives are feeling better about their companies than they did a year ago, but that does not mean they...

CAREFUL CRAFTING: Machinist Troy Hawkins takes a measurement while setting up the equipment at Hawkins Machine Co. in Coventry. Hawkins is the fourth generation of the family to work at the company, which is feeling the squeeze of rising costs.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

CLOUD COVER: PBN survey: Most R.I. businesses bracing for rough times...

Cover Story 01/30/2026

When it comes to the economy, Brenda Jacob has a laundry list of challenges that don’t seem to be getting easier. She feels like regulations,...

SQUEEZED: Machinist Troy Hawkins takes a measurement while setting up equipment at Hawkins Machine Co. The Coventry company is feeling the sting of rising costs.  PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Businesses stuck in neutral along with stagnant economy

Economy 01/30/2026

Rhode Island business owners need a jolt. That’s the biggest takeaway from PBN’s 2026 Winter Business Survey. A malaise that took hold last year amid...

STEELY GAZE: Noel Laflamme, a technician at metal fabricator Ward’s Manufacturing LLC in Warren, measures the thickness of a steel plate as he prepares for a job in the workshop.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

CRACKS IN THE METTLE | PBN survey: R.I. businesses remain resilient,...

Cover Story 09/26/2025

When siblings Kelly and Kiffin Ward co-founded their Warren metal fabrication business, Ward’s Manufacturing LLC, in early 2024, they set out with a vision...

REBOUND: Ward’s Manufacturing LLC in Warren earlier this year lost business due to increased tariffs on steel and aluminum. It’s since rebounded by adding new customers. Pictured is technician Noel Laflamme.  PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Time to pivot for businesses sidetracked by tariffs?

Editorial and Op-Ed 09/26/2025

Many Rhode Island businesses are approaching the coming year as smart drivers do a blinking yellow light. Proceed, but with caution, keeping both eyes...

CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE | PBN survey: After election, businesses unsure...

Cover Story 01/31/2025

When it comes to the economy, Edward W. Burman Jr. is of two minds – local and national. Burman, president of Warwick-based commercial building contractor...

PBN SURVEY: Economy, election putting business on edge

Cover Story 09/27/2024

Rhode Islanders aren’t throwing parties like they used to just a year ago. At least, that’s the way Ines Gentile sees it. Gentile is a...

HEAD DOWN: Benz. Co. machinist Marc Cameron stays focused on his work during a summer slowdown for the Providence-based maker of laboratory and testing equipment. PBN FILE PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

Resilient businesses looking for signs on the economy

Economy 09/27/2024

Business has been better – and worse – in Rhode Island, leaving most companies waiting for clearer signs on the direction of the state...

REACHING FOR THE SKY: Mind 2 Body Fitness owner Maria Andresino, center, instructs Nicole Gonzalez, left, of Cumberland and Analy Lopes of East Providence during a Pilates class at her Providence studio. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

PBN survey: Even as economy grows, businesses leery about expansion right...

Cover Story 02/02/2024

At Pawtucket-based Papis Refrescos LLC, demand for its coconut rum liquor has grown steadily since the company’s launch in 2022. The bottled coquito can...