Embargoed until midnight, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016.

WHAT: There is definitely good news in this month’s Current Conditions Index report. Clearly the state has moved beyond the doldrums from quarter two, as evidence of an acceleration in the pace of economic activity here continues to accumulate. Two factors were key– rising government employment for the fourth consecutive month and a rising labor force (yearly) for the third consecutive month.

WHO: URI Professor of Economics Leonard Lardaro, creator and author of the Current Conditions Index.

HOW: Use attached 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://www.llardaro.com/current.htm. Lardaro will be blogging about the new labor data during the coming weeks. You can find his discussion and charts at http://rieconomy.blogspot.com.

Available Online: http://www.llardaro.com/current.htm (NEW URL) Blog: http://rieconomy.blogspot.com

FOR INFORMATION: Leonard Lardaro, office, 401-874-4128, home, 401-783-9563

BACKGROUND: The Current Conditions Index, created by Lardaro, measures the strength of the present economic climate in Rhode Island by following the behavior of 12 indicators.