Progress Report: Alex and Ani Invest in Local Agriculture

Sure Rhode Island has its share of business failures, but it’s also got some success stories – none bigger in recent memory than Alex and Ani, the Cranston-based jewelry company that bought Sakonnet Vineyards. The company employs almost 300 people, almost as many jobs as 38 Studios was supposed to bring to the Ocean State. We’re impressed that the company chose local agriculture as part of its expansion plans as it shows genuine business acumen. Good luck!

Speaking of local businesses, Senator Jim Sheehan raises an important point in a GoLocal article about the EDC and Capco: “This may or may not have been a bad decision by EDC, but, the lack of transparency about Capco Steel’s default makes one question the wisdom of the initial decision.”

Notice the map Ted Nesi posts this morning showing which states get more federal dollars than they send to Washington … at a quick glance it looks as if the more conservative the state, the more money they get from Washington. Ironic, or just plain dumb? We report, you decide…

Welcome to Rhode Island, Craig Shwalb, you’ve got big shoes to fill … Here’s hoping Paul left you the referee uniform, you might just need it!

Congrats to progressive Portsmouth blogger John McDaid, who just got his press credentials to cover the Democratic National Convention in September … we look forward to your reports!

Not so fast, Republicans, you can’t have it both ways … either government spending creates jobs or it doesn’t.