The Rhode Island Economy by the Numbers

March 13, 2012

Rhode Island continues to experience unprecedented difficulties in revitalizing its economy. Important employment sectors struggle to fight the reversal that caused them to shed jobs and lose their competitive edge in the region and globally. Since 2007, manufacturing, once the cornerstone of Rhode Island’s economy, has lost more than 10,000 jobs.

The result: too many Rhode Islanders are without jobs and local businesses are not hiring.

The Ocean State has the worst business climate in the country, a 2011 CNBC study found. And now we also have the dubious distinction of having the fastest rate of population decline in America.

Some 200 business, government, and academic leaders from throughout Rhode Island and the region will discuss and debate The Rhode Island Economy by the Numbers at the Third Annual Economic Forum at Bryant University on Tuesday, March 13, 2012.

They will focus on:

Economic Development in Rhode Island

• Manufacturing: The rise, demise, and revival prospects
• Replacing jobs lost? Is service-driven job creation the only viable path?
• Creating jobs in a Knowledge Economy

The Health Care Industry and Job creation in Rhode Island

• Significance of the health care sector in Rhode Island Economy
• health care industry issues and perspectives
• Impacts and prospects of health care reform initiative

The luncheon speaker will be a local industry leader who will address the challenges of operating in Rhode Island . The speaker will also discuss policy changes intended to streamline business development and economic growth in Rhode Island.

For More Information

If you have any questions about the conference, please contact the organizing committee at RIeconomics@bryant.edu.