Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | April 13, 2020 | Worcester Business Journal 9 A Revolutionary partnership between employers, educators and workforce boards, geared towards making Massachusetts the epicenter of Americas manufacturing. TRAINING FOR TOMORROW Powering Today's Industrial Revolution remakema.com Tower Hill's endowment has taken a significant hit as well, Elton said, as the stock markets are down about 25% since the efforts to stem the coronavirus spread started in earnest in mid-March. "e potential for meeting our bud- geted fundraising targets is uncertain as we can't predict what ability our loyal donors will have for philanthropy when we come out on the other side," she said. Since Tower Hill's visitation has doubled in the last five years, the botan- ical garden was planning on breaking ground on a $12-million construction project in March, which would have expanded the parking lot, improved accessibility, and added a new garden for children and families called e Ramble. e project was supposed to be com- plete by November, Elton said, although due to the order Tower Hill shut down as a non-essential business, construction hasn't started and now can't be complet- ed before winter. at likely will push pieces of the project into 2021. "On the bright side, we are seeing that people are valuing nature and being outdoors more than ever. We pivoted our education staff 's time to develop online resources for youth and adults, and we are seeing quite a bit of interest and engagement through our website," Elton said. Tower Hill has about 60 full-time and part-time staff, and the nonprofit has committed to paying all staff for sched- uled work hours through April 26, Elton said. e organization is working with its lenders to find available financing if the closures go much beyond that. "Furloughs, a reduction in work hours and layoffs are on the table, as they are for most Massachusetts mu- seums, but they are a last resort," Elton said. "Our priority is to ensure that Tow- er Hill is in the best possible place when we reopen for our staff and visitors." Southwick's Zoo looking at $1.5M loss In a good year, Southwick's Zoo in Mendon will see $7 or $8 million in revenue, the bulk of which is generated in the busy months of June, July and August, said CFO Cindy Lavoie. However, because the zoo is closed in the winter, it needs all the revenues from April and May to help the private organization get through the winter, when the animals must still be fed and cared for, Lavoie said. e zoo has delayed its annual opening until at least May 4 due to the coronavirus shutdown. If it is unable to open until June, the zoo is looking at a $1.5-million loss in revenue from April and May, Lavoie said. Because it is a private zoo, Southwick's does not receive funding for any outside sources. "We are trying to keep as many people on as we can, obviously we have to have people to take care of the animals," Lavoie said. e zoo employs 200 people and the accompanying restaurant employs another 100. e zoo applied for a Pay- check Protection Program loan from the U.S. Small Business Administra- tion, as part of the $2-trillion stimulus program If that loan is approved, the zoo should be able to make it to the busy summer months and be fine, Lavoie said. If it isn't or the zoo must remain closed into the summer, it will have to look at layoffs or other cost reductions. "We have been here since 1803, and it is going to take a lot for us to throw in the towel," Lavoie said. Nuestra losing startup momentum Having opened in January, the Puerto Rican restaurant Nuestra in Worcester had just started to find its groove at its Webster Square location before it closed its dining room on the order of Gov. Charlie Baker for all restaurants to stay limited to takeout and delivery. "We were just in a normal rhythm and on the up. We had been participating in events for nonprofits, winning our first award; and we are losing that awesome momentum we had going," Owner Natalie Rodriguez said in an email. "We are doing everything possible to stay relevant and provide awesome food and service." Nuestra's revenue has decreased dramatically since the dining room closed, and Rodriguez said she has had to drastically reduce staff hours. e restaurant has gotten creative to stay relevant. "We are offering delivery, online ordering, curbside pick up, and we are trying to feed bigger groups like hospi- tals and such," Rodriguez said. "We are offering dope specials, family meals and more stories on Instagram and Face- book just to keep us fresh in the minds of our customers and followers." W Businesses shouldn't reopen until spread risk is minimal F L AS H P O L L When should government officials lift the coronavirus- related restrictions on businesses and the economy? COMMENT: Gov. Charlie Baker has closed non-essential businesses until at least May 4, as part of the effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus, although those closures may be extended. Health experts warn restarting the economy too soon increases the risks of the coronavirus spreading further and business and government officials must weigh the health risks against the potential damage caused by a long-term economic slowdown. When polled online, the majority of WBJ readers said the threat of coronavirus spread should be minimal before businesses should re-open. "ASAP voters: Use the soap to wash your brains along with your hands." ASAP. We can open businesses back up and still control the spread of the virus through other means, like extensive cleaning. After the surge of cases in April or May, and hospitals are confident they can handle new patients with existing facilities. 34% Only after the overwhelming consensus among health officials is risk of further spread is minimal. 55% 12% Natalie Rodriguez, owner Nuestra

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