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wbjournal.com | March 6, 2017 | Worcester Business Journal 5 B R I E F S Mild winter doesn't change much Central Massachusetts has experienced a winter that at times has felt much more like spring. Over February vacation, area ski slopes were able to stay busy despite temper- atures in the 60s, but the Worcester Common Oval ice skating rink was forced to close early for the season. When polled, WBJ readers said the warm winter hasn't impacted their companies. F L A S H P O L L JetBlue adding Worcester nonstop to JFK JetBlue will fly direct from Worcester Regional Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. JetBlue, the only commercial line fly- ing in and out of Worcester, now con- nects only to two Florida cities: Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. The JFK service will take place once a day upon the airport's completion of a new airline-guiding equipment system to allow for safer landings and take-offs during less-than-ideal weather, a project which should be finished within a year. Hanover reorganizing under new CEO Hanover Insurance Group, Worcester's largest non-medical employer, unveiled its new CEO's strategy, including com- bining divisions, expanding its specialty business and forming a new unit. The plan, called Hanover 2021, is Joseph Zubretsky's first major move since took over as president and CEO in June. Hanover's small commercial, middle market and personal lines businesses will be combined into one division called Hanover Agency Markets. The company will expand its specialty unit that covers companies that may have unusual risks, such as power plants or companies that use chemical products. Hanover is forming a new unit to ana- lyze data and emerging customer seg- ments and help the company's distribu- tion partners grow their businesses. Continued on next page COMMENTS: "Our business is greatly impacted by inclement weather. Every winter storm results in loss of some business and our employees with lost wages. These losses are driven by employees choosing not to drive in New England winter weather. With this winter being milder than recent past winters, the hit has been lower than what we predicted…thus far…but winter's not over yet!" "Let it snow and experience sub-zero temperatures!!!" ceresbistro.com 363 Plantation Street Worcester, MA FRESH EXQUISITE CULINARY EXCELLENCE Enjoy an evening out at CERES. Have a cocktail or a glass of fine wine from our extensive collection, and top it off with dinner artistically prepared from only the freshest and most exquisite ingredients. For Reservations, Call 508.754.2000, or Book Online through Open Table W Brian K. Carroll • Lisa M. Carroll Congratulates Small Business Service Bureau, Inc. Worcester Business Journal 2017 Business Leaders of the Year! Saint Gobain – Corporate Citizen of the Year Paul Hanlon – Innovator of the Year Jennie Lee Colosi – Small Business Leader of the Year Vincent Strully, Jr. – Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year Steve Howard – Large Business Leader of the Year WBJ Hall of Fame Inductees Michael P. Angelini • Frances M. Anthes Frances R. Carroll Small Business Service Bureau, Inc. A National Membership Organization for Small Business 554 Main Street • Worcester, MA 01608 • 1-800-343-0939 How has this winter's abnormally warm temperatures affected your business? The weather doesn't ever really impact us. 55% We've seen increases in customers because people are able to be out and about. 20% We provide cold- weather services/ products and our sales are down. 15% 10% We've haven't had to close/reduce operations because of snow.