Resources for Businesses During COVID-19

COVID-19 is having a major impact on our local businesses. We recognize the stress that Salem's entrepreneurs, workers, and freelancers are under due to disruption of normal commerce and the current level of uncertainty. The City of Salem has created this page as a place for businesses to access resources, information, and support in this difficult time. We will add resources as we become aware of them.

La pandemia del Nuevo Coronavirus y las precauciones de distanciamiento social que necesita están teniendo un gran impacto en nuestros negocios locales. Entendemos el estrés que sufren nuestros empresarios, trabajadores y autónomos dada la incertidumbre de la situación y el nivel de interrupción de la vida cotidiana. Estamos aquí para usted y estamos listos para ayudarle y a sus empleados tanto como podamos.

El sitio pretende ser un lugar para que las empresas accedan a recursos, información y soporte en este momento difícil. Agregaremos recursos a medida que nos vayamos actualizando.

Community Meetings

September 13, 2021 Community Meeting

 This meeting for Salem's businesses focused on current COVID numbers and trends, preparing for October, and business' rights and responsibilities in regard to COVID safety and best practices. It was hosted by Mayor Kim Driscoll, speakers included Dr. David Roberts from North Shore Medical Center, Dave Greenbaum, Salem's Health Agent, and Omar Santiago, RN, VP of Performance Improvement, North Shore Community Health.

Salem Access Television recorded the meeting in both English and Spanish and have uploaded the recordings to YouTube. 

To access them, please see the following links:

• For English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f2R7_WtO2U
• En Espanol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCFVWmWh1Q8

You may also review the presentation materials here:

• Dr. David Roberts, North Shore Medical Center: English or Espanol
• Omar Santiago, RN, North Shore Health Center: English or Espanol

September 21, 2021 Community Meeting

 Hosted by Mayor Kim Driscoll, Salem's Police Chief Lucas Miller presented to Salem's business community on ways to identify and react to potential threats and suspicious behavior in their businesses, how to deal with difficult customers, when to call for Police support, and when it is appropriate to dial 911. Chief Miller brought his experience working with the hospitality industry as a Detective in New York City to Salem’s tourism industry, and made recommendations for businesses that work with the traveling public. 

To view the recording of this meeting, please click here.

Economic Development Recovery and Revitalization Task Force

Mayor Driscoll created the Economic Development Recovery and Revitalization Task Force to focus on business and community support. The EDRR is made up of municipal staff, elected officials, and leaders in Salem's business and creative economy. The initial set of objectives are to:

• Identify short and long term needs of business community in Salem.
• Develop and support programs aimed at business recovery and revitalization.
• Serve as a communication vehicle to seek input and share information with the local business community.

The EDRR's Work

Since its first meetings in March 2020, the EDRR has worked to support Salem's businesses:

• Collected data through multiple surveys:
  • Two surveys to the business community to determine priorities and needs, one at the start of the shutdown and the second as the economy was opening up through the Commonwealth's phased reopening plan;
  • Surveyed the community through a Consumer Sentiment survey to determine how the community is feeling about the economy reopening and what the businesses can do to increase consumer confidence and safety;
• Created a Microenterprise and Small Business Grant Program funded through local and Federal dollars. The program assisted 50 local businesses by providing small grants that were used for paying rent, outstanding bills, and payroll;
• Created an application and review process to efficiently permit the extension of restaurant seating and retail shopping outdoors, whether on public or private land.  The review committees have approved over 60 restaurants for expanded outdoor dining and five retailers for expanded outdoor retail. 
  • To expand your restaurant's outdoor seating, please fill out an application, which can be accessed here;
  • To expand your retail store, please fill out an application, which can be accessed here;
• Created and marketed the Salem Together Pledge, to market Salem locally as a safe place to enjoy;
• Provided 300 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, free of charge, to Salem businesses.  The kits included face masks and shields, hand sanitizer, and gloves;
• Produce a weekly newsletter with the most current reopening information, advice on how to keep staff and customers safe, and funding and training opportunities;
  • Click here to see the EDRR's newsletters for updates on the latest COVID-19 information, resources to support your business, and tips and advice on how to navigate this challenging time. En Espanol.
• Host regular industry sector meetings to touch base with business owners in various industries, i.e. personal services, restaurants, retailers, accommodations, non-profits, and landlords; and
• Host town hall meetings with a panel of local expertise including Mayor Driscoll, the City's Health Agent, David Greenbaum, Chief Butler of the Police Department, and Dr. David Roberts from the North Shore Medical Center, to address questions and concerns from the business community.
  • For a recording of the April 30, 2020 COVID Business Revitalization Meeting, click here.

Grupo de Trabajo de Recuperación y Revitalización del Desarrollo Económico

Como parte de la respuesta de la Ciudad a la pandemia del COVID-19, el Alcalde ha establecido varios grupos de trabajo centrados en el apoyo empresarial y comunitario. El Grupo de Trabajo de Recuperación y Revitalización del Desarrollo Económico (EDRR) es uno de esos grupos. El EDRR está compuesto por personal municipal, funcionarios electos y líderes en la economía empresarial y creativa de Salem.

El conjunto inicial de objetivos es:
1. Identificar las necesidades a corto y largo plazo de la comunidad empresarial en Salem.
2. Desarrollar y apoyar programas destinados a la recuperación y revitalización de empresas.
3. Servir como vehículo de comunicación para buscar aportes y compartir información con la comunidad empresarial local.

Haga clic aquí para ver los boletines informativos del EDRR y obtener actualizaciones sobre la información más reciente del COVID-19, recursos para respaldar su negocio y consejos y sugerencias sobre cómo superar este momento complicado.

Financial and Informational Resources for Businesses

We have compiled lists of resources specific to supporting Salem's businesses:

• Financial Resources: This list is comprised of governmental and private funding sources ranging from loans to grants.
• Informational Resources: This resource page includes links to informative websites that can help you provide support for your employees, fact sheets on keeping your business clean and safe, and advice on how your business can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Support Resources: The organizations listed in in this resource page provide a variety of support services, everything from assistance with applying for loans and grants to connecting you to individuals who can help you build your website.

Please scroll down to the bottom on this page to access these resource lists.

Stay In Touch

For the latest information from the City of Salem, click here.

To find community resources, ask for help, or to sign up to volunteer, click here for Salem Together.

To sign up to receive updates via email, click here.

Questions?  Please contact Kate Newhall-Smith (knewhallsmith@Salem.com)

Manténgase en Contacto

Para las últimas noticias de la Ciudad de Salem, haga clic aquí.

Para encontrar recursos comunitarios, pedir ayuda, o enlistarse como voluntario, haga clic aquí.

Para suscribirse para recibir noticias por correo electrónico, haga clic aquí.

¿Tiene preguntas?  Por favor, contacte a Kate Newhall-Smith (knewhallsmith@Salem.com)