Salem Launches Website To Lure New Businesses To City

SALEM, MA — After a month of trying to depress crowds and the influx of visitors downtown because of coronavirus concerns, Salem is now looking for ways to help current businesses and promote the city as a great place to set up shop for new ones.

Last week, the city distributed outdoor heaters to several cafes and restaurants to try and help them extend the patio dining season. The city has also launched a new website designed to help prospective new business owners.

The website is aimed to promote the city and provide resources to help business navigate the process for obtaining permits and navigate zoning regulations.

"We are excited to launch this new website to not only help attract businesses to Salem, but also provide a clearinghouse of information to support Salem's existing business community," said Salem Mayor Driscoll. "As the site continues to grow with more information added to it over the coming weeks and months, it will truly become an indispensable asset to our business community."

The site is a collaboration between Salem's Department & Community Development Department, Salem Chamber of Commerce and Salem Main Streets. The local marketing firm Sir Isaac developed the site with local photographer Ty Hapworth donating photography.

"While the work on this new resource started before the current pandemic, this has been an extremely challenging time for our businesses, making this new website even more timely and important," Driscoll said. "By streamlining the economic development resources and programs into one place, business owners can easily access this crucial information, weather the pandemic, and continue to thrive here in Salem."