Citing the ability to attract and retain new customers, the rising cost of health care and state regulations, Rhode Island businesses aren’t optimistic about 2009. That according to the to Sovereign Bank’s 2008 Economic Outlook Survey, conducted in conjunction with the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and released Tuesday, February 03, 2009 before a crowd of more than 650 at a breakfast at the Westin Hotel in Providence.

 

But the survey, which was conducted though mail last fall, did offer some hope as 55 percent of respondents don’t expect their hiring plan to change in the coming year. Nineteen percent of respondents expect a slight increase in hiring while 20 percent expect a slight decrease.

 

 

The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by Chamber President Laurie White and featuring: Steve Andrews, senior vice president of the Capital Markets Group, Sovereign Bank; Sandra Coletta, president & CEO, Kent Hospital; Charles Francis, President of Rhode Island & Partner in CB Richard Ellis/New England; Hank L. Gutman, principal, KPMG; Jack Templin, principal, ThoughtCap and Jennifer Weiner, Policy Analyst, New England Public Policy Center.