WHAT: Rhode Island begins 2010 with a Current Conditions Index value of 33, as only four of the 12 indicators improved. But as values of 33 go, this was a fairly strong result. January marked the ninth consecutive month for which the index beat its year earlier value. The index for January 2009 was 17.

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

WHEN: For release today, March 15, 2010

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
Or download the report (pdf).

FOR

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

Dave Lavallee, URI Department of Communications and Marketing, 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.