WHAT: Rhode Island’s economy continues to decline, but at slower rates. The state is now several months into process of recovery, which is important to keep in mind since so many performance measures, most notably labor market indicators, continue to be dismal.

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

WHEN: For release today, June 12, 2009

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.