PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic forced the shutdown of businesses and sent unemployment soaring in Rhode Island and across the nation, but in what seems like a contradiction, a record number of new businesses have been launched in the Ocean State this year.
WPRI-TV reports that as of Wednesday, 10,124 new businesses had been registered with the state Secretary of State’s Office during 2020, the first time the state has seen more than 10,000 in a single year.
Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea said her office has identified patterns in the new businesses, including an increased number of day cares and cleaning companies.
