Business

By FLO JONIC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – One in every seven Rhode Islanders is food insecure and a record number are relying on food pantries to put food on the table. That, according to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank's annual report which will be released later today.

The number of people using food pantries for assistance has risen by 17,000 a month since the Recession began three years ago. Food bank CEO Andrew Schiff says the current pace of nearly 10 million pounds a year is unsustainable.

By SIMONE LANDON

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Northeast Offshore Wind Summit is being held in Providence Monday and Tuesday. Regional developers and policymakers are reviewing the energy potential of wind power as well as the necessity of training a workforce for the new wind industry.

While the conference has focused on offshore wind projects such as the wind farm on Block Island, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Government Affairs Director Fred Hashway says on-shore special area management projects are important too.

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The second part of an annual process to forecast state finances continues today at the State House.

The revenue estimating conference takes place twice a year - in May and November. Legislators and other officials will use the projections formed during the conference to shape the next state budget.

Rhode Island ended the last fiscal year with a small surplus. But when federal stimulus money runs out the state will face an estimated $361 million deficit for the fiscal year beginning next July.

By FLO JONIC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Crossroads Rhode Island is getting some badly needed financial help. The Rhode Island Foundation has presented Crossroads with a check for $100,000 to deal with the overflow conditions it's confronting this year.

Crossroads president Anne Nolan says they saw more homeless people by the end of July as they did in all of 2009.

By FLO JONIC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Thirty years ago it was unheard of for a family to turn up at a homeless shelter. But today - three years into the worst recession since the Great Depression - families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in Rhode Island.

Nine-year-old Nicoi Thomas, a sweet girl with a mass of curly brown hair, comes home excited about what she's learned at school.

By MEGAN HALL

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Ocean State college students had a chance to grill the federal reserve chairman on Monday. Ben Bernanke took their questions at a meeting at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Bernanke fielded questions on everything from the bail-out of AIG to the lessons he's learned from the Great Depression. He also offered an apology.

"I'm sorry the economy's not stronger right now," he said.

By AP

TIVERTON, R.I. – A new study says Tiverton's industrial park is the best place for a multitown wind farm.

The study by the East Bay Energy Consortium is scheduled to be presented to the town council on Monday.

The consortium was formed last year by the communities of Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton, Bristol, Warren, Barrington and East Providence.

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Curt Schilling's video game company, 38 studios, says it has signed a lease to move its headquarters to Empire Street in downtown Providence. The company is currently based in Maynard, Mass.

Governor Don Carcieri hails 38 studios' decision to move to one empire plaza. He says the state's investment in 38 studios will create 450 high-paying jobs, and attract other interactive and entertainment companies to Rhode Island.

By IAN DONNIS

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The head of the state Economic Development Corporation won't say whether he hopes to stay in the job when the next governor takes office.

The EDC has remained in the spotlight because of a controversial $75 million state loan guarantee for video game maker 38 studios. EDC head Keith Stokes took his job on a one-year basis last January. He says he hasn't given much thought to whether he'll stay on in the next administration.

By FLO JONIC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse announced today that Rhode Island is getting an additional six million dollars to rehab abandoned and foreclosed properties.

This is on top of $19 million the state received earlier for the same purpose.

The money comes from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The money may be used to fix up abandoned and foreclosed properties or help low and moderate income families buy them.