108

The Planning Board unanimously approved a definitive site plan for a proposal to convert a parking lot at Myrtle and Portland streets into a mixed-use apartment complex. The project would add 108 apartment units to downtown Worcester, on land behind The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Boston-based Portland Salem Realty LLC plans to build a six-story building at 35 Portland St. According to the site plan, the building would be about 90,286 square feet and include a ground floor with 62 parking spaces that would mostly use a semiautomatic stacker system.

851

Leominster machine shop F&M Tool & Die – which has specialties in mold making, mold maintenance and mold repair – is set to move into a 23,390-square-foot building in Lancaster. The company will lease the building at 851 Sterling Road in Lancaster. Scott Duncan, who became the owner of the company in 2018, according to F&M’s website, confirmed the move but wasn’t willing to share any information regarding timeline. F&M, founded more than 40 years ago, is currently at 25 Jytek Road in Leominster, not far from Route 12. It serves industries that include medical, cutlery, automotive and houseware, according to its website.

125,000

When construction of an Amazon warehouse started in 2021, it was pitched as the solution to the location that once housed the Greendale Mall. Yet, even as the warehouse sits quietly with its recognizable blue band around its top this spring, questions about its opening remain unanswered. On a casual drive by the building, construction looks complete. The heavy-duty trucks and hard hats have already left the site. However, it’s not known when the 125,000-square-foot distribution center will start work with its 1,166 daily trips. When asked about it, a spokesperson for Amazon had little to add.

16

For most teenagers, a 16th birthday means a party with friends, cake, maybe even a car. Kashvi Vishal started a business.  A few days before her birthday March 26, Kashvi launched her new stall at Worcester Public Market, Edenish Salads. Inspired by working alongside her parents at Namaste Woo, the Shrewsbury High School junior's goal was not only to provide a healthy option but an affordable one to counter the abundance of fast-food places and draw in a younger demographic, even among self-described “burger people” because “there has to be a salad person in everybody,” Kashvi said.

6/15

JetBlue is adding Orlando and Fort Myers to its flight offerings to and from Worcester Regional Airport. The airline, which currently connects with New York and Fort Lauderdale through Worcester, announced the expanded Florida lineup during a news conference at the airport Monday. Gov. Maura Healey and JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes were among the officials at the event. The Orlando route begins June 15, with Fort Myers to debut Jan. 4. The flights are nonstop. JetBlue also announced that larger planes with capacity to carry about 160 passengers will begin taking off from Worcester. Current JetBlue planes leaving the airport can carry 100 passengers.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Business Matters: Central Mass. by the Numbers