Worcester Business Journal

24 Worcester Business Journal • November 23, 2015 www.wbjournal.com Best Advertising Agency Best Web Design Firm Proud Winner of Two 2015 Best of Business Awards Join the WBJ's LinkedIn discussion group by scanning the code to the left on your smartphone. To scan the code, you need the NeoReader. Visit get.neoreader.com to download it onto your phone. Want to participate in the conversation? F L A S H P O L L T A L K B A C K AG AGAINST PIPELINE Attorney General Maura Healey released a study on Wednesday that calls into doubt the need for a natural gas pipeline into the area, saying that cleaner alternatives can tackle the region's energy needs through 2030. "Marvelous. More jobs, lower energy costs. Nope we do not want that." WBJournal.com commenter Donald W. Simpson CORPORATE BOARDWOMEN State Sen. Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) has created a bill calling on Massachusetts companies to add at least three women to their corporate boards. "The best companies are ones where there is diversity at all levels and a respect for various styles and sensibilities. I think the goal of 3 women on a board (of how many btw?) by 2020 requires both women stepping up to the plate AND companies making sure they don't have subtle (or not so subtle) road blocks." WBJournal.com commenter Barb Finer, from TechSandBox How can Central Massachusetts attract and retain more young workers? Job opportunities needed for younger Central Mass. workforce E ven though 87 million people shopped on the day after Thanksgiving last year, national outdoor sports retailer REI has announced it will not be open on Black Friday. British supermarket chain Asda has joined REI in not opening its doors on the traditionally heavy shopping day. In our poll from Nov. 16-20, WBJ more than three out of four readers agreed with the retailers' decision. T he Massachusetts Senate in November launched a commission to study ways of attracting and retaining young people in the state, in order to increase population growth and keeping the age of the workforce younger. In our survey from Nov. 9-15, respondents felt the best way to do this in Central Massachusetts was to provide job opportunities. Workers should stay home Black Friday Yes. All other retailers do it. 17% COMMENTS: "I believe that it will really take a good mix of all the elements above and also an appreciation for their technologically advanced lifestyle." "Most job opportunities exist east of Central Mass. Need to convince the high tech industry to move/ build west of 128/495 belts." "We lack retail in downtown core." 0% - Have more sporting events and concerts "I'm sick of retailers stealing our best national holiday, Thanksgiving. CLOSE!" COMMENTS: Lower the cost of living 17% Provide more job opportunities 37% Increase non-car transportation options 15% Yes. It is a huge opportunity for revenue. 16% Offer more of an urban lifestyle 31% No. Let your workers stay home. 53% No. Shoppers can go online. 22% "Everyone needs a break for family and self. Let's keep a lil tradition!!!" "Workers who would like to stay home represent only a portion of the populace; others value and need the income." "It depends on what kind of retail store you have and what your sales history shows"

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