WHAT: Rhode Island’s economy continued to improve in May, its 14th consecutive month of expansion (or restoration) based on the Current Conditions Index. A number of economic indicators moved closer to or above their pre-pandemic levels. Eight of the 12 indicators showed improvement. But the question remains, has the state truly recovered from the pandemic?

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

WHEN: July 11, 2022

HOW: Use attached information, including summary and charts prepared by Lardaro for news reports. He is available for broadcast and print interviews. Lardaro will be blogging about the new labor data during the coming weeks. Additional information and historical data available online: http://www.llardaro.com/current.htm.

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

Dave Lavallee, URI Department of Communications and Marketing, 401-874-5862.

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.