Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week, Dave and Mark speak with Dennis Littky, co-director of the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, a public high school with campuses in Providence and Newport. The discussion focuses on how the MET School works with businesses to provide internships and job skills for students, particularly skills like collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm on Rhode Island Public Radio, 88.1 FM, 91.5 FM and 102.7 FM.

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line: Training The Next Generation Of Workers

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week, Dave speaks with Paul DeRoche, senior vice president for government relations at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. The discussion centers on what's hot for seasonal retail activity this year in downtown Providence and beyond. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm on Rhode Island Public Radio, 88.1 FM, 91.5 FM and 102.7 FM.

The Bottom Line: Seasonal Retailing Heats Up

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week, Dave speaks with Dr. Patrick T. Kelly, Associate Professor of Accountancy at Providence College School of Business. Ballot Question 1 asks voters to approve or deny a request to borrow money for a casino in Tiverton. There's already some saturation when it comes to the area’s casino market. How much could one generate in state revenues? Could the proposed Tiverton casino take a bite out of Massachusetts' gambling revenues? And why hasn't there been more public debate about the casino question? Dave and his guests debate these questions and more. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm on Rhode Island Public Radio, 88.1 FM, 91.5 FM and 102.7 FM.

The Bottom Line: The Promise And Peril Of The Casino Question

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. Mark is off this week. This week, Dave speaks with Scott Jensen, director of Rhode Island’s Department of Labor and Training. The agency has a new program called “Platform to Employment” program, which helps people unemployed long-term find jobs. Dave and Scott discuss how the program works, how people are selected, what kind of training they receive, and what kinds of companies are participating. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm on Rhode Island Public Radio, 88.1 FM, 91.5 FM and 102.7 FM.

The Bottom Line: New Program Seeks To Help RI’s Long-term Unemployed

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week, Dave and Mark discuss the offshore wind farm in waters near Block Island. The alternative energy project is the first of its kind in the nation, and is now in its testing phase. Then, Dave and Mark delve into topics that surfaced at a recent health care reform summit, including health care costs, the lack of millennials with health insurance, and the large concentration of hospitals and other health care institutions in the state. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm on Rhode Island Public Radio, 88.1 FM, 91.5 FM and 102.7 FM.

The Bottom Line: Next Steps In Offshore Energy And Health Care In RI

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week, Dave and Mark speak with Steven King, the managing director of the Quonset Development Corporation. A September study by Bryant University found the Quonset Business Park, which operates a major ports, shipping and warehouse facilities and office space, contributes about $2.85 billion dollars to the state economy. In November, voters will decide whether to approve $50 million in bonds to upgrade facilities at Quonset and the Port of Providence. Dave and Mark ask about the next phase for the business park, including a planned expansion, additions to existing companies, the need for new infrastructure, and developing office space for start-ups. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm on Rhode Island Public Radio, 88.1 FM, 91.5 FM and 102.7 FM.

The Bottom Line: Expansions At Quonset Business Park

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week, we focus on the Rhode Island Convention Center. How deeply do convention center events reach into the local economy? Is the convention business changing? These are just a few of the questions we ask Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of the Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm on Rhode Island Public Radio, 88.1 FM, 91.5 FM and 102.7 FM.

The Bottom Line: Conventions And The Economy

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week Mark and Dave discuss the state of the 38 Studios settlements. In the latest deal, executives from the failed video game company, including former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, agreed to pay $2.5 million to the state. This was the second settlement announced this month; the other was worth $25 million, with financial firms Wells Fargo and Barclays Capital. The state's lawsuit to recoup funds from the bankruptcy is still slated to go to trial in October, with just one defendant, financial advisor First Southwest remaining. Editor’s note: this discussion was taped a day before the $2.5 million dollar settlement was approved by a judge. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm.

The Bottom Line: The Latest Settlement In The Ongoing Legal Battle Over 38 Studios

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week Mark and Dave speak with Scott Wolf, executive director of the nonprofit Grow Smart Rhode Island, about the future of the 6/10 Connector. Governor Gina Raimondo has accelerated plans to repair the highway due to safety concerns. But Wolf says there is still time to consider alternatives, including a modified boulevard concept favored by some community groups and transit advocates.When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm.

The Bottom Line: Next Steps For The 6/10 Connector

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week Mark and Dave speak with Edward Mazze, Distinguished Professor of Business Administration at the University of Rhode Island. The three discuss Providence Business News’ Summer 2016 Business Survey. They weigh in on positives and negatives in the report, and the changes to Rhode Island’s business climate. The group also talks about developing a “tech savvy” workforce, as well as the lingering effects of the Great Recession. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm.

The Bottom Line: Local Businesses Weigh In On The State Of Rhode Island's Economy

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week Mark and Dave speak with Frank Tweedie, Dean of the Johnson and Wales University School of Engineering and Design. This week, the University opened the John J. Bowen Center for Science and Innovation. The 71,000 square foot building is the first to be completed on the vacant I-195 land in Providence. Tweedie talks about the new facility, as well as the school’s approach to science, engineering and biotech training. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm.

The Bottom Line: Johnson And Wales University Expands Science Program Into I-195 Land

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week Mark and Dave speak with Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien about the RI Infrastructure Bank. The quasi-public agency awarded more than $17 million to fund green municipal projects. Pawtucket received some of that money along for projects like installing energy efficient street lights. Grebien talked about how will the city use the funds and where will the city re-direct any savings. More on that, as well as what’s happening with the PawSox and a study of their home McCoy Stadium. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm.

The Bottom Line: RI's Infrastructure Bank Rolls Out First Round Of Recipients

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week Mark and Dave speak with Rhode Island Public Radio political commentator and longtime reporter Scott MacKay about unfunded state pensions, and those in the cities and towns across the state. According to data from the Providence Business News, the sum of those statewide liabilities is more than $5 billion. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm.

The Bottom Line: Unfunded Pension Liabilities Continue Adding Up Across The State

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Elisabeth Harrison, filling in for Dave Fallon on our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week, Mark and Elisabeth speak with Mark Gray, coordinator of the state's Health Insurance Small Employer Taskforce, about the impact of new health insurance rates on small businesses. This week the state Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner approved modest rate increases for small employer health plans in 2017. Large employer plans will increase by 3.6 percent to 7 percent, depending on the insurance company. One company, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, will reduce premiums for individual and small business plans.

The Bottom Line: Health Insurance Increases Hit Hard For Small Businesses

Providence Business News Editor Mark Murphy joins Rhode Island Public Radio's Dave Fallon for our weekly business segment, The Bottom Line. This week Mark and Dave discuss tax incentive aimed at bringing new jobs and businesses to Rhode Island. Mark describes what Governor Gina Raimondo has done to change these programs, and shares his view of whether her efforts are working. When to listen: You can hear The Bottom Line each Friday at 5:50 pm

The Bottom Line: Reviewing Raimondo's Tax Incentives

A weekly look at the business community in Rhode Island, with Dave Fallon & Mark Murphy.