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SALEM - Growing up in a single-family home with nine siblings, Gregg Peterson watched his mother's unyielding determination to provide for her family. It was this observation that instilled in him an unmatched work ethic and an aspiration to achieve success.

Years later, after relocating to Salem, Peterson's dream materialized when he opened the Broadwa…

Salem-Keizer introduced new superintendent Andrea Castaneda this summer and she’s quickly made an impression on the community.

Within her first 100 days in office, her focus was on board relations, teaching and learning, student and community engagement and operations, safety, and finance.

Dr. Satya Chandragiri was the first person of color to be sel…

The beauty of a well-functioning democracy lies not just in the engagement of its citizenry, but also in the trust established between the people and their elected representatives. This trust is rooted in transparency, respect for the voice of the majority, and judicious fiscal management. Today, Salem stands at a significant crossroad that will define it

Oregon entered uncharted waters last week with the announcement that Legacy Health System, a private healthcare provider, would ‘merge’ with the state-sponsored Oregon Health and Science University. While the word ‘merger’ has a softer and gentler tone, make no mistake - this is an acquisition. Mergers generally are distinguished as two entities

Salem voters will soon have a voice in the November 7, 2023, Special Election to decide whether the employee-paid payroll tax is the best solution to save Salem. But Salem City Councilors disagree about what exactly Salem needs to be saved from – the General Fund deficit that will cause emergency services to suffer or from the payroll tax itself. 

Navigating the tumultuous waves of Salem's business scene has given me a unique perspective on the art and science of small business finance. Let me share a few kernels of wisdom from my playbook, distilled from decades of entrepreneurship and mentoring.

The Line of Credit (LOC): A Double-Edged Sword

An LOC can be a business's staunchest ally or its mo…

Oregon is experiencing an economic revolution powered by advancements in technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The 117th Congress was among the most productive in memory with the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Together, these bills account for investments of more than $3.4

In the sprawling cityscape of Salem, a new star has risen in the realm of construction. Manny Cruz is a self-made businessman, entrepreneur, and contractor who has framed homes in prominent projects and seeks to shape the city's architectural future.

Meet the man behind Lex GC, an entity rapidly gaining a reputation in Salem's construction industry. Despi…

DATEEVENTTIMELOCATIONRESOURCEAdmission1-SepGreeters: Acres of Home Youth Ranch8:30AM - 10AMNorthern Lights Theatre Pub
3893 Commercial St NE
Salem, OR 97302https://salemchamber.org/Free1-SepChemeketa SBDC: Meet Your Small Business Development Center12PM - 1PMOnlineEvents/Workshops (oregonsbdc.org)Free6-SepSalem Real Estate Investor's Group5:30PM - 7:30PMVenti's Cafe + Taphouse 2840 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97302alex@ferryinsurance.usFree7-SepBusiness Advocacy Committee Mee…

SALEM, OREGON – KeyBank recently delivered a $10,000 grant to the Salem Kroc Center to fund the printing and materials of the “Been There” program, an interactive seven-week course designed to empower youth and young adults to change their thinking and behaviors in order to make positive changes that will help them reach their goals.

Written by moti…

SALEM, OR – This week, Representative Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River) sent a letter to Governor Tina Kotek urging her to issue a State Disaster for Oregon’s cherry industry.

Sweet cherries are one of the state’s top 20 most valuable commodities, but, due to harsh weather conditions and Oregon’s cherry crop overlapping with California cherry harvest, …

While we all want to live in a safer Salem, the City Council’s plan of a city-wide payroll tax is not the way to get there. The theory is that increasing the budgets of various public services will translate to more effective firefighting, better police enforcement of laws and codes, improved ambulance response times, and a better approach to our expand

Oregon’s community hospitals are grappling with ongoing financial challenges, despite marginal improvements in certain aspects. According to data provided by Apprise Health Insights, an entity affiliated with the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, the state’s 62 community hospitals suffered a collective loss of $414 million during the

Oregon's flourishing landscapes and bustling cities have always been a testament to its growth and potential. Yet, recent findings have given businesses and families cause for concern. As of this spring, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center has ranked Oregon as the state with the 8th highest cost of living in the United States.

While stat…

In the quaint town where myriad eateries compete for a prime spot on every local's list, "Battered Fish and Chips" stands out, not just for its catchy name, but primarily for its delectable dish that has residents and visitors hooked – their signature Fish and Chips.

What makes their fish and chips particularly unique? "Fresh fish," the owner proudly st…

If you would have asked me five years ago where I’d be working today, I likely would have said “here”, at the time, I was the Executive Director of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce.  Boy, I sure loved that job.  I thought there was no other place to be for someone whose love language is ‘service to others’.  But here I am today serving…