WHAT: The Current Conditions Index for July was 25, as three indicators improved. While this is a decline from June’s value of 42, July marked the third consecutive month for which the index beat its year-earlier value. Please see attached PDF file for full report.

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

WHEN: For release today, Sept. 14, 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.