The economy in Rhode Island (Providence, Cumberland: how much, house, find a job)

[GreenGene]

I just read a story in the Washington Post, and I had no idea that unemployment was so high in Rhode Island. For those "on the ground", does this story sound right?

Tiny State, Huge Pain - Washington Post, Dec. 21, 2008:

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Tiny Rhode Island, America's geographically smallest state and the first of the original colonies to declare independence from British rule, recently added another, less favorable distinction: It has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country.

Eleven straight months of job losses -- another 4,000 jobs disappeared between October and November -- have put Rhode Island's unemployment rate at 9.3 percent, higher than the national average and second only to recession-hit Michigan. While most of the country began to feel the economic downturn in recent months, this state has been in recession far longer, and the pain is deeper, according to Rhode Island economists, government officials and some of those struggling to find work.

A big issue here is the state's tax rates. Many Rhode Islanders said the high tax burden has discouraged businesses from locating here and pushed others to leave. The most recent state-by-state comparison of business tax climate by the Tax Foundation put Rhode Island at 46 out of 50th, with only four states -- Ohio, California, New York and New Jersey -- having a less favorable business tax environment.

Personally, I think R.I. is a great state, especially for anyone who likes the ocean! But maybe (right now) it's a better place to visit than to live?

[GermanSpy]

Yes, it's quite accurate. You can still find a job in a couple key industries, especially stuff like healthcare. But even universities like Brown initiated a hiring freeze just a couple weeks ago so things are definitely pretty bleak around here.

It's pretty important if you want to move here to make sure you bring a job with you or arrange for one before you move if at all possible.

[CoventryDude]

Everything is bleak nationwide right now....

I've pretty much always been able to find work as a college educated person with a few professional licenses (financial).

My friends who are high school grads and NOT in a trade (electrician, pipefitter, etc) are the ones out of work. Of course, that is subject to change the moment my wife or I lose our jobs.

But the government here has not been friendly to business, for the most part.

[mccamp]

We moved out of Rhode Island. Thank God! (We had professional jobs in Boston or the surrounding 'burbs. We bought our house in Cumberland because of the lower housing costs.)

As outsiders moving into Rhode Island, we were shocked by how much people resisted change. Corruption was accepted as normal, if not encouraged. People didn't want to drive more than 10 minutes to get to anything. Geez, they didn't even want to leave the state.

That kind of attitude breeds and spreads and before you know it, you're out of luck with no hope. The people of RI can change this--they have to vote the idiots off of Smith Hill and get people in there who will lower taxes, cut spending and encourage businesses to relocate to the area.

There are parts of RI that are breathtaking, and we miss our neighbors (we did live in the best little neighborhood in Cumberland), but we don't miss the feeling that nothing important exists outside the borders of RI.

RI has a long way to go. If you're thinking of moving to the area, try living in Southeastern Mass. You can enjoy the best of RI without having to put up with the small-minded people.

[ProvGuy]

Yes the economy in RI sucks right now. Our inept legislature has done nothing to ease the tax burdens that would support business growth, and our governor has resisted developing what could be a gold mine of a sea port at Quonset Point. There may be some light at the end of the tunnel though, CVS is supposedly adding corporate jobs, a wind turbine manufacturer is opening a headquarters and manufacturing facility in Quonset and a natural foods distributor just moved its corporate here from Connecticutt and is hoping to add jobs as well. Other than that, look for a job in Massachusetts!

[Eeyore1]

Originally Posted by GermanSpy

But even universities like Brown initiated a hiring freeze just a couple weeks ago so things are definitely pretty bleak around here.

I had applied for a faculty position at Roger Williams University. I just received a letter they, too, are on a hiring freeze.

[Jay F]

I just read that Rhode Island and Michigan are the only two states that lost population over the past year. It can't be a coincidence that those are the two states with the highest unemployment rates.

[Hollytree]

The reports from the census bureau are guesstimates- not gospel. Many factors go into the estimates which the census bureau can't even count, like people who live here but claim Florida as primary residence and file their tax returns there, illegal immigrants, etc etc.
Many leaving for other states | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal
More to the point, how many current RI residents are hearing of people leaving the state en masse? If you even judge by traffic- its still mighty heavy round here. Personally,I see more newcomers than leavers. Do any of you who live here have lots of friends who are moving away ?

[Jenkins86]

I personally know of two families that have moved over the border into Massachusetts in the last year. And it was due to the problems RI is having as much as anything.

[Rnrboy]

Statistically, Holly is actually correct. In the 90s people claimed that RIers were moving away, but between then and now we've actually had a net increase population.

It's a straw-man argument. That said, Rhode Island certainly has its problems, economically speaking.