Salem Assists With Small Business Loan

 New Businesses  No Responses »
Jan 212014
 

Creating jobs and revitalizing the city’s downtown and eligible neighborhoods is the focal point of the City of Salem’s Small Business Loan Program. Mayor Kimberley Driscoll has recently announced that the City is now accepting applications for financial assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs through this program, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program.

“The small business loan program has been very successful in helping new and growing businesses to thrive and continues to be an engine for job growth in Salem,” said Mayor Driscoll.

The program provides low-interest loans to qualified entrepreneurs to cover the gap between the amount of financing needed for an economic development project and the amount that conventional lenders can finance.

While there is no maximum amount, typical loans do not exceed $50,000. Applicants meet with the Economic Development staff prior to applying to determine an appropriate loan amount suitable for the program.

Storefront

Funds are available for acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of real property and for financing related to the purchase of equipment, fixtures, inventory, leasehold improvements and working capital. Terms and conditions vary.

The city offers three types of loan assistance to eligible businesses and property owners—Microenterprise Assistance, Commercial Revitalization, and Special Economic Development:

  • Microenterprise Assistance – Microenterprise Assistance Loans benefit low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs by providing low-interest loans to foster their microenterprise business (5 or fewer full-time employees, including the owner).

  • Commercial Revitalization – Commercial Revitalization Loans assist eligible small business owners in Salem by providing low-interest loans for exterior improvements to their business and/or to help correct code violations.

  • Special Economic Development – Special Economic Development Loans assist eligible small business owners in Salem by providing low-interest loans in exchange for the creation and/or retention of jobs for low- and moderate-income persons.

Any business owner or property owner located in Salem may apply for the program. Commercial Revitalization Loans are only available to businesses located in certain areas. A business owner that is leasing space must have lease authority or obtain authorization from the building owner to make improvements to the property.

For an application and more information go to www.salem.com or pick up an application at the Department of Planning & Community Development, 120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor or call (978) 619-5685.

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Season Finale for Salem Winter Market

 Uncategorized  No Responses »
Dec 182013
 

Winter Farmers' MarketMaking a list and checking it twice, we hope, has been the activity of our friends and neighbors this week in preparation for the final Winter Market of the season, Thursday 12/19/13.

Time to stock up for the Holidays! And to say “See ya next year” to the accommodating vendors who not only sell items but also share informative conversations with their customers.

To mark the event, Mayor Kimberley Driscoll will ring the bell at 3pm to kick off the final market.

“The Winter Market is a fantastic opportunity to combine your grocery and holiday shopping, all while supporting local businesses,” states Kylie Sullivan, manager of Salem Main Streets and organizer of the market.

“Whether you’re stocking up your pantry or crossing items off your holiday gift list, our range of vendors makes the Market a one-stop shopping destination.”

The Winter Market includes produce from local farms, pasture-fed meat, spices, pickles, soup, baked goods, artisan soap, jewelry, wreaths, and more. All items are grown or produced in New England.

But for this final session there will be some extra “gifts” (enough to fill Santa’s sleigh!) for attendees:

  • Young visitors will have the opportunity to catch a visit from Santa! (hint 3 to 4:30 pm)

  • $1-a-pound specials for select produce at Clark Farm

  • Wreaths and trees from Wally’s Vegetables

  • Holiday gift baskets at Salem Soapworks

  • Gift certificates for cheesemaking classes at Wolf Meadow Farm

  • Sales on all Shine Jewelry items

  • New vendor We All Scream for Ice Cream Co will be there again with vegan, gluten-free ice cream in a variety of fun flavors (she’s come the past two weeks to test out this brand-new business)

  • Summer market favorite Tangerine Pastry will also be there

  • Dorothy Malcolm will be there selling copies of “Legendary Locals of Salem”

  • Historic New England will be our guest non-profit this week, sharing Christmas/holiday-related stories and information

  • City of Salem Ma will be holding a flu clinic

Current Vendors at the 2013 Winter Market

Farm Vendors (produce): Clark Farm, Grant Family Farm, Long Hill Orchard & Farm, Wally’s Vegetables

Non-Farm Vendors (not produce): Big Sky Bakery (bread), Great Cape Baking Company (baked goods), Piper Ranch (meat), Salem Spice (spices, also selling Maitland Mountain Farm’s pickles), Tangerine Pastry (macarons, pastries), Valicenti Organico (pasta/sauces), We All Scream Ice Cream Co (vegan, gluten-free ice cream), Wolf Meadow Farm (cheese).

Artisan Vendors: Salem Soapworks, Shine Jewelry/Heritage Industries

The Salem Winter Market is also looking for feedback. If you’ve visited the Salem Winter Market this year (or even if you haven’t), please take a few minutes to fill out this survey.

The final market runs from 3–6 pm at Old Town Hall. Old Town Hall is adjacent to Derby Square on Front Street, where the summer farmers’ market is held.

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Gables Tour— Christmas Banned In Salem

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Dec 082013
 

Christmas in New England. Today a warm picture of snow outside the home with family gathered around a tree & gifts, or family gathered around the dinner table, smiling and ready for a feast of food. But ’twas not such in early Massachusetts history. And no, you can’t blame the Salem witches for that.

House of Seven GablesAs part of the annual Christmas Tours of the Gables, this year you’ll find much discussion about the fact that Christmas was banned in New England for nearly two centuries. The House of the Seven Gables is offering daily, now through Dec. 31 from 10am to 5pm, a special tour blending the unique history of the mansion with the little known history of Christmas in colonial Massachusetts.

The Puritans bristled at the day being used solely for “reveling.” It was seen as sacrilegious that the day was given over to drinking, feasting and all manner of over-indulgence, instead of quiet contemplation.

Take the tour to hear the story of how the Puritans got their way outlawing Christmas in 1659 and how the holiday inched its way back into the hearts of the population so that Massachusetts officially legalized Christmas in 1856.

Explore the maritime, architectural and literary history of the house and discover Christmas’ transformation from a rowdy seasonal celebration to the peaceful family-centered traditions we recognize today. The rooms of the mansion will be decorated for the holiday tour by local interior decorators, historical societies, and florists.

200 years of history in a walking tour— and you get to see the charming rooms of the House of the Seven Gables; that is a nice present to give to your family, or just yourself.

This special tour is offered during regular hours in December except during the production of A Classic Christmas. Closed Christmas Day. Open on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, 10am-2pm. For more details on the Tour, please call 978-744-0991.

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Sights and Sounds of Santa in Salem

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Dec 072013
 

Ho Ho Ho! Had you been part of the crowd we had at the Hawthorne on Friday night, you would have been shouting that along with the bright-eyed kids anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus.

There's SantaIt was a great evening and we thank the moms and dads who brought their children out.

We also want to thank all the people and organizations that helped to publicize and share the news about this event so residents and neighbors could participate. There were blogs, Tweets and Facebook postings.

And we especially need to thank all those who participated in this special event: The Hawthorne Hotel, Salem Common Neighborhood Association, 62 Restaurant, Salem YMCA, Arbella Drum & Bugle Corps, Singers in Common, Brian Donnelly, the Museum Place Mall, Salem’s Vintage Photography, Witch Tees, Bewitched in Salem, Glass and Etc., and the Paul Madore Chorale – not to mention the City of Salem and our incredible Fire Department!

For those of you who could not make it there: the Vine video below (thank you Salem News & Hawthorne Hotel).

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