WHAT: Rhode Island began the fourth quarter in exactly the same way it has proceeded through 2008—stuck in the recession lane. The good news is that October’s Current Conditions Index value wasn’t zero. The bad news is that it was eight again, as only one indicator, the Manufacturing Wage, improved.
WHO: URI Professor Leonard Lardaro, creator and author of the Current Conditions Index.
WHEN: For release today, Dec. 15, 2008
HOW: Use enclosed information, including summary and charts prepared by Lardaro for news reports. He is available for broadcast and print interviews. The new information and other historical information can also be found on Lardaro’s web site at http://members.cox.net/lardaro/current.htm.
FOR
INFORMATION: Leonard Lardaro, office, 401-874-4128, home, 401-783-9563
Dave Lavallee, URI Department of Communications, 401-874-2116.
BACKGROUND: The Current Conditions Index, created by Lardaro, measures the strength of the present economic climate in R.I. by following the behavior of 12 indicators.