While many sit-down restaurants in Rhode Island are struggling during the COVID-19 crisis, Pat’s Italian Restaurant in Coventry has managed to retain most of its pre-shutdown business. Joe Tasca spoke with owner Greg Stevens about how Pat’s has been able to maintain the momentum it’s built since opening in February.
Business
Posted inArticle, Business, Politics
Baker extends stay-at-home order to May 18th
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced Tuesday that he is extending the stay-at-home advisory and non-essential business closures by two weeks.
Posted inArticle, Business
Pryor on RI’s plan to incrementally reopen the state’s economy
→ See more of our coronavirus coverage, including community resources and personal stories. Beyond a potential spike of new infections, Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor said his greatest concern when it comes to reopening the state’s economy is getting it right. Pryor said the state is doing a lot of outreach with business to […]
Posted inArticle, Business
Raimondo wants to slowly begin reopening RI economy May 9th
Governor Gina Raimondo is releasing more details on the steps the state will take to gradually reopen its economy, which she says will happen in three separate stages.
Posted inArticle, Business
Publicly traded hotel firms won’t give back small-biz loans
Three publicly traded hotel companies tied to a Texas businessman say they will not give back any of the $126 million in loans they have applied for from a government program aimed at helping small businesses. Several other big companies have said they will return loans under the Paycheck Protection Program after large chains were criticized for taking them. The three hotel companies keeping the loans say they will use the money to put employees back to work. The government loan program is intended to help businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
Posted inArticle, Business, Health
Blue Harvest Fisheries ordered to cease operations, three employees tested positive for coronavirus
New Bedford ordered Blue Harvest Fisheries to cease all operations late Thursday night after it was discovered that three employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture, Business
Fall River travel agency hard hit by COVID-19 crisis awaiting federal aid
President Trump signed the fourth coronavirus relief package to aid small businesses on Friday amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And many Southcoast small business owners that have been waiting for funds, like travel tour agency Sagres Vacations in Fall River, are hoping this will be the moment to finally get the monetary relief they need.
Posted inArticle, Business
Lawmakers want more money for business loan program. What’s it done so far in RI?
Congress and the White House appear to be closing in on a deal this week to infuse the now-depleted Paycheck Protection Program with additional funding. But the program has faced its share of criticism so far.
Posted inArticle, Business
Coronavirus crisis a ‘shock’ and opportunity for RI farmers
The state’s agricultural economy has been valued at close to $240 million, with more than 1,000 farms operating on nearly 57,000 acres of land. But traditional revenue sources have dried up because of coronavirus at a time when there’s also surging consumer interest in local food.
Posted inArticle, Business, Health
Fish plant workers demand safer working conditions amid COVID-19 pandemic
Seafood processing workers across the Southcoast are raising concerns about unsafe working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.