Community Spotlight – Salem, Massachusetts

The North Shore Alliance for Economic Development serves 30 communities, including four Gateway Cities, and brings their leaders together to explore and take action on economic development issues that can help grow the region, including those that advance the Commonwealth as a whole.

Over the course of the next few months, we will explore and get to know better these 30 communities that make up the North Shore region of Massachusetts. We hope our readers will learn more about the unique benefits each community brings to their residents and visitors and how collectively they strengthen our regional economy.

“Salem, Still Making History”

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 were a tragic time in Salem’s history; it is a period of time that children learn about at school, we read about in books, and see representations of on the big screen. The Witch Trials may be what visitors first think of when they think of Salem, but its residents know that Salem is, and always has been, a place that welcomes entrepreneurship and innovation.

From the age of sail that brought goods from around the world to Salem, to Parker Brothers locating its headquarters and factory along the North River, to the vast number of creative entrepreneurs, Salem has always embraced creativity, innovation, and growth. Salem certainly lives us to its motto of “Salem, Still Making History “and is a hip and historic community.

Salem has been designated one of 26 Gateway Cities by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and one of only four on the North Shore. Defined as midsize urban centers that anchor regional economies around the state, Gateway Cities have populations greater than 35,000 and less than 250,000, median household income below the state average, and rate of educational attainment of a bachelor’s degree or above that is below the state average. Salem is a critical anchor for our regional economy.

Economic Strengths & Projects in Salem, Massachusetts

Salem is fortunate to have few vacancies downtown, along its commercial corridors, and in its industrial areas. The businesses in the city enjoy a level of stability that leads to low turnover. This robust economy makes it a great place to visit, stay, play, and live.

Salem’s Priority Development Sites include ‘Hutchinson’ at 120 Swampscott Road, ‘South Salem Commuter Rail Stop’ along Canal Street, and the ‘Universal Steel parking lot’ at 297 Bridge Street. All three sites are described on the Alliance’s North Shore Alliance Priority Development Site page on its website. In addition to these three sites, Shetland Park has is an existing business complex with available space. The 1.5 million square foot commercial and industrial complex is located on the harbor just outside of downtown and next to Pickering Wharf. The complex is home to a wide range of business types (e.g., R&D, manufacturing, design, professional offices) and sizes. The wide variety of building spaces allows diverse businesses to be based there and grow.

Salem is focused on two major initiatives downtown – the redevelopment and reuse of two historic court buildings on Federal Street and a site analysis study of several scattered sites to determine future development potential with an eye toward including public parking opportunities in mixed-use developments.

Just outside of downtown, the City continues its work with and support of The Salem Partnership on the development of a second commuter rail stop along Canal Street, currently known as the South Salem Commuter Rail Stop. This stop will serve employees and clients of Salem Hospital and employees and students at Salem State University. The siting of the commuter rail station has the potential to unlock future mixed-use development.

New Businesses

The City is welcoming the offshore wind industry and the ancillary businesses that will come to the city to support this industry. Salem’s port is being transformed into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ second construction staging port for offshore wind development. Through a public-private partnership with Crowley Wind Services, the City, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Salem will be developed to stage offshore wind turbine generator components prior to their installation within offshore wind lease areas. Initial lease areas are located south of Cape Cod, but it is also anticipated that lease areas will be identified within the Gulf of Maine.

The City is focused on the coming offshore wind industry with permitting and construction of Salem’s offshore wind marshaling port. This area of land next to Salem Harbor Power Station will be the region’s first wind turbine marshaling facility. This project will create jobs during the construction phase as well as over the long-term operation of the facility and future installations in offshore wind lease areas.

In addition, with this industry comes job opportunities associated with the construction of the port, with operation and maintenance of the marshaling station, and even turbine installation and maintenance in the lease areas. The City is working with its partners to identify supply chain businesses that can contribute to this industry whether in manufacturing (e.g., components) or services (e.g., research, mapping, legal, planning, permitting, transportation.) With the marshaling port anticipated to be up and running in early 2026, the businesses in this industry’s supply chain will need to have a more significant presence in Salem.

Largest Industries

Currently, Salem’s largest industry is health care with MassGeneral Brigham Salem Hospital being the largest employer in the city. The public sector is the next largest industry with employees working for the City of Salem (municipality, public safety, and public schools), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Registry of Deeds, the courts, and the North Shore Career Center), and the Federal government (Salem’s National Park sites).

Other significant industries include banking with Salem Five’s headquarters located downtown and higher education with Salem State University as a major employer. In addition to these industries that provide employment opportunities for the region, Salem has an additional dynamic small business community that serves both the local community and visitors.

Economic Forecast

The offshore wind industry will not only bring jobs associated with the construction of the marshaling port and its operation to Salem and the region but will also attract offshore wind supply chain businesses to support the industry including professionals in legal, planning, and technology fields.

The economic forecast for Salem’s small business community will remain strong with low turnover rates downtown due to the City’s strong dining scene, flourishing tourism industry, and network of connected business owners and support systems.

Salem has many robust employment opportunities with both existing and future growth. With the North Shore Workforce Board headquartered in downtown Salem, connects people with career path jobs, and finding training opportunities for professional growth doesn’t have to be done alone.

Points of Interest and City Events

Salem has a wealth of richness in experiences and enjoyment for residents and visitors alike. Open spaces and public parks like Winter Island, Salem Willows, the Salem Common, and the Forest River Conservation Area, provide passive and active recreational activities. Cultural sites like the Peabody Essex Museum, Charter Street Cemetery, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and the Friendship, historic districts, and the Salem Witch House offer a variety of opportunities to learn about Salem. The downtown and Pickering Wharf provide a diverse array of dining options and shops.

Salem has a wealth of things to do and places to visit throughout the year for residents and visitors alike. Families find a never-ending list of fun activities, festivals, and events throughout the city during all seasons of the year. In fact, there is a festival every month of the year.

Highlights include:

• Salem’s So Sweet: A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping. February
• Salem Film Fest: Since 2007, Salem Film Fest has brought the world’s best independent documentaries and their makers to Boston’s North Shore. Now the largest international documentary film festival in Massachusetts, the event annually presents features, shorts, and special events to a loyal audience of thousands. March 
• Ancestry Days: Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate their ancestral and immigrant connections to Salem. The event features lectures, tours, research opportunities, and information on the people who connect us all to Salem. April
• Salem Arts Fest: A celebration of arts and culture with activities, events, and exhibits scattered throughout the downtown. June 
• Heritage Days: A full week of non-stop fun and special events celebrating Salem, culminating in fireworks over the water. August
• Haunted Happenings: The largest celebration of Halloween in the world! Salem welcomes more than a half-million visitors to parties, parades, vendor fairs, walking tours, museums, attractions, and special events. October

Open spaces and public parks like Winter Island, Salem Willows, the Salem Common, and the Forest River Conservation Area, provide passive and active recreational activities. Cultural sites like the Peabody Essex Museum, Charter Street Cemetery, the Salem Maritime National Historic Sites and the Friendship, historic districts, and the Salem Witch House offer a variety of opportunities to learn about Salem. Downtown and Pickering Wharf provide a diverse array of dining options and shops.

Economic Support & Resources in Salem

Prospective and existing businesses can come to the City’s Planning and Community Development Department for economic support, facilitation of local permitting processes, leveraging of available development tools (e.g., the Commonwealth’s EDIP program), and to learn about available resources. Municipal leadership has prioritized business development as a benefit to the local community through the expansion of the tax base and job creation. Leadership strives to support unique opportunities to facilitate future business development.

For our small business community, in addition to the City’s small business website, www.salemforbusiness.com, Planning staff can provide referrals to economic development partners like Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, The Enterprise Center, and Mill Cities Community Investments. Planning staff also works closely with partners at Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber on business recruitment efforts and tracking available spaces both downtown and throughout the city.

Large and small businesses alike can find considerable support and resources to get their business off the group or expand an existing business.

Prospective and existing businesses can come to the City’s Planning and Community Development Department for economic support, facilitation of local permitting processes, leveraging of available development tools (e.g., the Commonwealth’s EDIP program), and learning about available resources. Municipal leadership has prioritized business development as a benefit to the local community through the expansion of the tax base and job creation. Leadership strives to support unique opportunities to facilitate future business development.

For our small business community, in addition to the City’s small business website, www.salemforbusiness.com, planning staff can provide referrals to economic development partners like Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, The Enterprise Center, and Mill Cities Community Investments. Planning staff also works closely with partners at Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber on business recruitment efforts and tracking available spaces both downtown and throughout the city.

Major Strengths of the Community

The Salem community values diversity in people, culture, and ideas, which is reflected in our business community. Salem is filled with historic architecture that not only is beautiful to look at, but each building often has its own story to tell. Strong leaders and municipal employees who want to see new business and job growth are committed to supporting opportunities for the benefit of the community.

Salem is a quick trip via train or ferry from Boston and is a more affordable option to not only locate your business but also for your employees to live. Salem has fostered a strong ecosystem for businesses, with an extensive support system including Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, The Enterprise Center, the Small Business Development Center, Destination Salem, and others who are ready to help navigate facets of business ownership and management, provide opportunities to network and learn from peers, and provide current and relevant information on opportunities and programs.

Salem has robust employment opportunities with both existing and future growth. With the North Shore Workforce Board headquartered in downtown Salem, connects people with career path jobs, and finding training opportunities for professional growth doesn’t have to be done alone.

Why Choose to Live or Do Business in Salem?

Salem is always looking to grow and to support opportunities for job creation for its residents. Salem can be a place where someone lives, works, and plays, and when a business comes to Salem or is here and chooses to expand, the City and its economic development partners are available to support this growth that will benefit the community.

Salem is a place for all ages; the City has been designated as an Age Friendly community by AARP and the World Health Organization. The City continues to improve its service to the residents by updating aging infrastructure, concentrating resources in the public school system, ensuring accessibility of our public spaces for people of differing abilities, and working to ensure that Salem is a safe, affordable, and fun place to live.

Salem is a wonderful place to work, live, and visit. The City is always looking to grow and to support opportunities for job creation for its residents. Salem can be a place where someone lives, works, and plays and when a business comes to Salem, or is here and chooses to expand, the City and its economic development partners are available to support this growth that will benefit the community.

Public Transportation & Navigating Salem, Massachusetts

Salem has the busiest commuter rail stop in the Commonwealth. Salem also benefits from five MBTA bus routes connecting riders around the region. From spring through fall, the Salem, the ferry brings commuters and visitors to and from Boston’s Long Wharf.

The City has also invested in the Salem Skipper, which is a local ride-sharing service serving the entire city. It works like a minibus that comes when you want, where you want — book a ride straight from your phone, get picked up in minutes, and skip the hassle of parking.

Salem offers a community car share program through the Getaround platform; this is a similar program to Zipcar. Additionally, Salem has had a bike share program for over a decade and joined BlueBikes, MetroBoston’s public bike share system, on June 16, 2021. The bike-share system provides a healthy and sustainable way for residents, employees, and visitors to get around Salem without driving. Salem offers a community car share program through the Getaround platform; this is a similar program to Zipcar.

Contact Salem, Massachusetts

Kate Newhall-Smith, Principal Planner
Salem City Hall
93 Washington Street
Salem, MA 01970

The North Shore Alliance For Economic Development Community Page is also a source of
information regarding economic development sites within the North Shore communities.