Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

The state Economic Development Corporation is holding a closed-door meeting Monday at the State House, where board members are expected to discuss the future of the agency.

A panel appointed by Governor Carcieri has been scrutinizing the EDC for several months. Its findings, including recommendations about EDC leadership, have not been made public. The agenda for the special meeting, which was not posted on the EDC Web site, includes little information about the topics to be discussed. In an interview Monday, board member Cheryl Merchant said she, too, was in the dark. "I have no idea," Merchant said, "and I'm on the board."

Alfred J. Verrecchia, the Hasbro executive who led the review panel, is attending the 4 p.m. meeting. He told The Providence Journal on Monday that he expects to present the panel's recommendations, which could be released publicly as early as Tuesday. "I'm led to believe, though I'm not 100 percent sure, that the report will be made public
tomorrow," he said.

Governor Carcieri is also expected to attend the meeting, EDC board member Alexander Biliouris said.

The EDC has been under tremendous pressure to enliven the state's slumbering economy. Rhode Island is suffering from 10.5 percent unemployment, the highest level in three decades.

 Tags  Carcieri Economic Development Corporation economy politics recession unemployment

Comments

aldo scotlando said:

What happened to the "Dons" open government and private sector expertise stuff. Just did not answer the bell with his promises. Oh well, let us never again be snookered by the Republican line of bologna.

Link | April 21, 2009 6:59 AM
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