News Advisory News Advisory News Advisory

WHAT: Rhode Island’s economy has shown substantial improvement over the past four months, as the state has now moved beyond the downdrafts of rapid national and global economic deterioration to what should now be viewed as a more typical recession. The Current Conditions Index improved to 42 in August, as five indicators improved. It matched June for the highest value this year.

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

WHEN: For release today, October 9, 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.