economy

Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon hosts our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. Co-Host Mark Murphy, editor of Providence Business News, will return next week.

This week, Dave hears about the impact of parking meters on Thayer Street, the major commercial strip near Brown University. A leading critic of the meters, Ken Dulgarian, owner of the Avon Cinema and other properties, says they are devastating local businesses.

When to listen:

You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 p.m.

Immigration consistently ranks as the number one issue in national surveys of Latino voters, such as surveys by Latino Decisions and Univision News. But education and the economy are not far behind. As part of our RhodyVotes '16 coverage, we talked to some Latino voters about what's driving them to the polls. 

As part of our occasional series, Rising Tide, we’re offering snapshots of Rhode Island’s economy after the Great Recession. The state famous for coffee milk syrup, is now home to a burgeoning specialty coffee scene.

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line.

This week Mark and Dave chat about PBN's winter survey of local businesses. Chalk it up to a shaky global economy or rising health care costs, businesses are feeling queasy about their local prospects.

When to listen: 
You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 p.m.

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line.

This week, they’re joined by Cheryl Snead, the CEO and founder of Bannecker Industries of North Smithfield. Snead is also chair of the Women’s Enterprise Forum, which advises non-profit which works to foster and certify women-owned businesses around the country. The topic is growing opportunities for women to own their own business.

When to listen:

You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 p.m.

During a lunchtime conversation with reporters Tuesday, Governor Gina Raimondo offered fresh details on the state's pursuit of General Electric, touted what she cited as a positive series of steps on economic development, and called on Rhode Islanders to be more receptive to different ways of pursuing government initiatives.

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line.

This week Mark and Dave talk with Dr. Sylvia Maxfield, dean of the School of Business at Providence College, about the new Brookings Institution report on how to improve Rhode Island's economy.  

When to listen:

You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50pm.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.org      

Richard Culatta started on the job this week as Rhode Island's first chief innovation officer. The job represents a homecoming for the 37-year-old South Kingstown native after he most recently worked in senior jobs in the US Department of Education.

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line.

This week Mark and Dave discuss the outlook for retailers this holiday season with Paul DeRoche, senior vice president of government relations at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

According to DeRoche, retailers have noticed that millennials eschew aparrel in favor of devices like smart phones. For the holiday shopping season, DeRoche predicts sales volume will increase by 5 percent from 2014.