Salem Mayor Nic Farley told the monthly luncheon of the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce that we need to be proud of the community. He noted a number of positives as well as challenges the city needs to address.
“We have to be advocates and ambassadors for our own community and we have to lift it up. We can find plenty of faults in any community. But when I look around I see a ton of strength and a ton of great leaders just sitting on the sidelines. As more of them come out I think we have a real opportunity to grow this city.”
Farley says the city needs to address the problem of businesses not being able to find workers. He feels there are apprenticeships and programs that can help train
workers for jobs. Farley says a workforce plan also needs to be put together for workers who will lose their jobs when Schutt Manufacturing closes in October. Farley says another challenge is housing.
“We have houses on the high end and we have some very low-end housing. If you want to be a professional and move to this area it can be a challenge. So we need to come up with a strategy to make housing more affordable. And if you have any ideas come and tell me because we have to tackle that problem in a real way.”
Farley says the city has open land available and a partnership with private businesses to construct new housing may be possible. He also announced the city has applied for a grant to tear down 12 substandard homes in the community.
Farley commended the work of the police department but says there will be challenges with the new police reform legislation. He also said the city has to look at a water rate increase with no substantial raises in the past 30 years. Farley added the gas fund is also losing money.
Farley likes the entrepreneurial spirit he sees developing with the new Greek Cafe, the upcoming reopening of the ABC, as well as a new coffee shop and an RV Park currently under construction. He feels such developments could spur others to invest in the community.
Farley is also proud of the inclusive playground and other improvements now underway in Bryan Memorial Park and the addition of WiFi in the park. He says IDOT has promised to resurface the pothole-filled entrance ramps to I-57 in the near future. Farley also promised the annual fall cleanup will be held as usual this year.
Farley committed to being ready to roll up his sleeves and be part of the solutions to the issues facing the city.
