October 22, 2008 Rhode Island battles worst unemployment in nation Play video

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Providence, RI) - Here in Providence Rhode Island, the signs of a slow economy and unemployment are everywhere. From boarded up homes lost to foreclosure, auction signs for homes to be sold off plus dozens of empty storefronts and closed businesses.

Prof Len Lardaro, URI

" We’ve got a lot of really really bad economic numbers"

At 8.8 percent – the unemployemnt rate in Rhode Island is now the worst in the country. According to Professor Len Lardaro - Rhode Island has already been in a recession for a year

" This is the hardest time we’ve had since 1991 and I didn’t think we had ever seen us this far down … I don’t think the economic malaise here as escaped anyone."

On the streets of Providence – it was easy to find those who agree.

Elmer Mendez

" It is getting tougher out there"

Elmer Mendez says he still has his job. But his father was recently laid off. Several cousins also unemployed.

" Where I am living right now the lady just lost her house so I have to move out, a couple streets down I se foreclosure signs everywhere."

Dr. Christine Rayner

"They’ve cut a lot of things at work. I’m a physician and a lot of my patients have lost their jobs so that has impacted my work."

And with more than 50-thousand people out of work in Rhode Island – the highest number on record - families are hurting.

Andrew Schiff

" Poeple are running out of money

Andrew Schiff runs the Rhode Island Community Food Bank serving 300 organizations. Demand has gone up 12-percent this past year, while state aid has been cut in half.

"Programs are rationing, they have to ration out their food to serve more people"

And here in Rhode Island the economic numbers show no sign of recovery.

Prof Lardaro

"The sad thing is it’s only getting worse."