Understanding the impact today's profoundly weak economy is having on Rhode Island’s business community and more specifically its workforce, the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce today announced that it will offer a first-of-its kind 59-cent membership to business professionals who have lost their jobs.
     
The program is the initial component of a broader small business stimulus package being developed by the Chamber to address some of the difficult challenges being faced by local businesses and their employees.
    
“Rhode Island is grappling with historically high unemployment rates. In fact, having just topped 10 percent, they are at the highest state levels in three decades. It is clear that as the state’s largest business association, we needed to do something completely different to help people and companies where we can,” said Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. “This program, and the larger stimulus package, are about investments in our community and particularly our workers.”