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An 880,000-gallon sewage spill from a broken East Providence pipe forced closure of Area 16E, one of Rhode Island's most productive clam beds. Commercial shellfishermen like Dave Ghigliotty and Jim Boyd report devastating financial losses, with the area producing three to four times more clams than alternative fishing grounds. Water quality testing will continue before reopening.
The Boston Globe reports that Aspen Aerogels violated building code by operating an oven without final permits before an April 8 explosion that injured 11. East Providence officials identified eight building code violations, some related to the explosion. The company has been cooperating to address violations and could reopen this week pending final inspections.
Charcuterie Artisans acquired La Quercia Cured Meats in January 2026, making it the largest U.S. charcuterie manufacturer. The company is investing over $12 million to modernize La Quercia's Iowa facility and expand prosciutto production capacity by 50%, while opening an Innovation Center on its Rhode Island campus to support its 660,000+ square feet of manufacturing space.
A new RIPEC report using federal data warns that proposed increases to Rhode Island's top income tax rate may accelerate outmigration and weaken economic competitiveness. Both Democratic gubernatorial candidates are pushing the millionaire's tax hike, with Governor McKee chairing RI Commerce Corporation while proposing tax increases, and Helena Foulkes having led CVS, the state's largest recipient of tax breaks.
Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is opening a satellite office at Innovate Newport on May 11, expanding access to business services in Greater Newport. CEO Jim Bennett said the presence on Aquidneck Island will help Commerce serve area businesses, with the office located at the Chamber's Innovate Newport hub for technical assistance and entrepreneurship support.
Carolyn Rafaelian filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging her sister Rebecca Rafaelian Caruolo misused assets of their family's decades-old jewelry business Cinerama to secretly subsidize Air & Anchor, a competing jewelry venture. The complaint claims Air & Anchor is a knock-off of Alex + Ani created through a takeover of Cinerama's factory space, equipment, inventory, and vendor relationships.
Providence filed its first enforcement action under the city's algorithmic rent-pricing ban against Audubon Capital Partners, owner of 95 Lofts, alleging use of banned software that coordinated rent increases up to 44 percent. The case marks the first test of the ordinance adopted last year to combat algorithmic price-fixing in the rental market.
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation will open a satellite office at Innovate Newport to expand access to business services across Aquidneck Island and Greater Newport. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for May 11 at 513 Broadway, with remarks from Mayor Charles Holder, RI Commerce President Jim Bennett, and Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce President Erin Donovan-Boyle. Bennett said the office will help Commerce serve businesses in the area and strengthen partnership with the Chamber.
Manufacturing facility Aspen Aerogels plans to gradually reopen its East Providence plant in May following an April explosion in a high-temperature oven that injured 11 employees. According to an SEC filing, the company is working with local, state, and federal agencies to conduct mechanical, operational, and safety reviews before resuming operations. The final timeline depends on clearance from relevant authorities.
Rhode Island lawmakers are advancing legislation to create a Rhode Island Center for Employee Ownership to help businesses transition to employee ownership models. The center would connect sellers and employees to financing pathways, valuation expertise, and technical support. White Electric Coffee in Providence, which shifted to employee ownership in 2021, said the center could help smooth out uncertainty in the transition process and make it more accessible to small businesses.
State and local officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Harborside Inn on Block Island. The iconic landmark was destroyed by fire on Aug. 19, 2023, and demolished weeks later. The new 22,000 square-foot hotel is expected to be built with 32 rooms, replacing the facility that was deemed a total loss.
