Salem Economic Development Director Leah Dellicarpini discussed her goals for the city when speaking before this month’s Chamber of Commerce meeting.
She was asked about her top three priorities.
“I would like to see new housing stock,” Dellicarpini said. “We’ve talked a lot about infill, so the lots that the houses have been torn down and they’re now empty lots… some of them are fairly small, but I would like to see new housing units. Second, I would like to see a bit more development by the interstate. Third, I would like to see the continued expansion of 618 Plastics and NAL, or any expansion of our existing business.”
Dellicarpini says expansion is how the city is seeing job growth.
“I think a lot of the time, people want to see new, bright and shiny. They want to see you go and recruit somebody and bring them to town. Really, in Salem, our bread and butter is expanding on our current businesses. We’ve seen that, Radiac has expanded, NAL has expanded… I think Security Alarm is always expanding.”
Dellicarpini is pleased with the redevelopment of downtown.
“Somebody put a contract on the Sentinel building. Really, I’ve got a list of vacant or dilapidated downtown buildings, and it’s getting smaller. I’m getting to strike this off, which I love, I think I’m down to maybe six… And then murals, we have the touch-up of the Sweeney Corner mural slated for this fall. We have a new mural being installed on the side of the theater wall that is a “Greetings from Salem” mural, which is kind of a national brand of mural. There’s a trail and a hall of fame kind of thing.”
Dellicarpini is also working to get murals placed on the sides of other downtown buildings. She notes the Salem Tourism Board has been a great partner in that project and other downtown improvements including the lights across the top of downtown buildings and the new Christmas display on the courthouse lawn.
Dellicarpini reported 14 substandard homes were torn down last fiscal year and another ten could be demolished this year if funding is available.
Dellicarpini has been the city’s economic development director for three and a half years. She has seen the job expand to also oversee community development and code enforcement.
Dellicarpini believes in small government and says her main goal is that those investing in Salem feel that investment is working for them.
She also reminded the group of the city’s theme developed as part of the 2023 strategic plan, ‘Your Opportunity to Thrive’ with the mission of providing the foundation to support the opportunity to thrive.
