Decision 2024: Salem’s Economic future at the Forefront of City Elections
As Salem gears up for its city council and mayoral elections on May 21st, the business community will see significant distinctions between the candidates on key economic issues. The spotlight has particularly fallen on the contentious payroll tax proposal of 2023, which has become a dividing line for how the candidates each approach taxes and their overall philosophy of governance.
Last summer, by a vote of 5 to 4, the Mayor and City Council approved a payroll tax on Salem workers. The proponents of the tax argued that the city needed more revenue to cover increased city spending. The tax would have cost the average worker $500 per year. Knowing it would likely be defeated at the ballot box, the Mayor and Council defeated an effort by …
Rich Duncan Construction Celebrates VP of Operations’ 20th Anniversary
Nate Cook, Vice President of Operations at Rich Duncan Construction, recently celebrated his 20th anniversary with the company. Cook, a business partner at the firm, was honored with a celebration marking this significant milestone.
"We organized a social hour at Rudy’s, where Rich surprised him with a blue Corvette," said Brooke Scott, Communications C…
The ONE Easy-to-Fill Skill Gap Keeping Virtual Meetings From Turning Into Revenue
Sales is a conversation between adults to uncover the truth.
At the end of the day, it’s all about initiating and supporting peer-to-peer conversations. But for too many salespeople, when it comes to virtual meetings, it seems like we're still a lot better at pushing buyers and influencers away than we are at drawing them in.
We’re just…
From Dream to Dairy: The Story of Salem’s Premier Mexican Cheese Maker
Don Froylan Creamery in Salem has been an Ochoa family affair since it opened in 2003. The creamery is named for owner Francisco Ochoa’s late father, Froylan Ochoa, who dreamed of opening a commercial Mexican cheese creamery. Francisco and his family helped make his father’s dreams a reality by opening the creamery and making authentic, handmade Mexic
SVN Economic Forum 2024: Navigating the Future of Salem’s Economy with Record Attendance
The annual Economic Forum hosted by SVN Commercial Advisors, held on February 23 at the Salem Convention Center, achieved unprecedented attendance this year, with over 330 industry professionals gathering in person to share insights and strategies for navigating current and future market landscapes.
“We could have a lot more if we wanted to, but we plac…
Growing Restaurants Bring Flavors of Mexico to Salem
Two homegrown businesses are kicking off 2024 with energy, optimism, and Mexican-inspired food. Fiesta Pizza and Delicias Oaxaqueñas are local restaurants that both have opened their doors in new locations. This might be a positive sign that Salem’s restaurants are making a steady comeback after rough times during the pandemic.
A U.S. resta…
What is Happening in the Legislature and What to Know About the Process
Business & Political Roundtable
It seems "bipartisanship" long suppressed by zealous partisan hacks, is on the agenda in this short legislative session.
Senate Minority and Majority leaders Tim Knopp and Rob Wagner seem locked in a unison dance about the prospect of a session buffeted by bipartisan considerations. I'd hold my applause…
Is your sales team’s “Call to Action” repelling more buyers than it attracts?
We’re all taught at some point that we need to ask for a Call to Action (CTA)– a request that the person we’re talking to commit to do something. And usually, we make that request. But how effectively?
The landscape has changed. The CTAs that worked a decade ago with a brand-new contact simply aren’t effective anymore. They don’t set us apart fr…
Sequoia Crossings Opens Their Doors in Northeast Salem
Salem’s newest affordable housing unit opened its doors on January 30 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The project is called Sequoia Crossings (2950 Broadway St NE, Salem), which features 60 units to help previously homeless folks transition into housing.
The Salem Housing Authority oversaw the project and had initially demolished distressed p…