Welcome to the Salem Partnership's website. The Partnership differs from other business organizations as its role is to focus on key specific projects.
Presently, its focus is on:
The renovation and expansion of the Courts Complex in Salem.
This has been a longtime project for The Partnership. We are happy to report that the renovation and expansion of the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center is close to fruition:
- All necessary roadwork has been completed.
- The Baptist Church has been moved to its new site. It will serve as the law library and the cornerstone of the new courts complex.
- All preparatory work has been completed and construction has begun. Erection of the steel framework is underway and after the framework is completed, the pouring of the concrete will take place.
- The court complex project is on budget and on schedule.
- Completion date is set for 2011.
The second major project is the Salem Port Development and includes:
The Salem Harbor Plan which was updated and approved by the Executive Office for Energy and Environmental Affairs.
An important part of this project is the ferry service from Salem to Boston. In June 2006, Salem/Boston ferry was initiated. This ferry, The Nathaniel Bowditch, is now in its third year of operation. It is a highly successful operation and is enjoyed by tourists, commuters and residents of the greater North Shore region.
The establishment of a multi-purpose municipal port facility is the next component of the port development. A Consulting firm has completed a market analysis and revenue projections. Land acquisition is being pursued. It is anticipated that engineering work will soon be initiated and permitting needs are to be filed.
The Creative Economy Initiative is the third major project that The Salem Partnership is focused on.
The Salem Partnership and The Enterprise Center at Salem Sate College continue to collaborate on this initiative.
In 2008, The Partnership, The Enterprise Center at Salem State and the Creative Economy Association of the North Shore (CEANS) received $115,000 from the state legislature for the expansion of the Creative Economy Initiative on the North Shore. A major portion of this funding was utilized on a market analysis and action plan prepared by ConsultEcon, Inc. in association with Karl F. Seidman Consulting Services. Copies of this report can be found on this website under Current Projects.
The three principals (The Salem Partnership, The Enterprise Center at Salem State and the Creative Economy Association of the North Shore) again received funding ($65,000) from the state legislature in the ‘09 state budget. This funding allowed for implementation of the action plan identified in the above-mentioned study. Key accomplishments were:
- The research and action plan were presented to key stakeholders, specifically political leaders, chambers, rotaries and other organizations.
- A “toolkit” was developed for local officials to promote their community as great places for creative businesses to thrive.
- Events were held in the 8 cities and towns with the largest number of Creative Economy establishments.
- Events held with largest creative economy clusters to identify needs and determine how to help meet their needs.
- A signature event to culminate the year’s efforts called “The Big Tweet” was held at the new Center for the Arts at Endicott College in June 2009 with over 300 people in attendance.
It is the consensus of all involved, that this has been a most successful year. The following goals were met:
- The creative economy on the North Shore has grown as indicated by surveys that show new businesses and jobs have been created.
- The North Shore is now recognized as a unique center of creative economy activity and innovation.
- A collabortive and coordinated regional approach has been developed and will continue to serve creative economy businesses on the North Shore.
- Along with the regional effort, we have also worked on a statewide initiative. Legislation introduced during a breakfast held in April '07 at the Parker House in Boston sponsored by the Partnership and the Enterprise Center has become law. It provided for statewide Creative Economy Council and both The Salem Partnership and the Enterprise Center not only sit on the council but also co-chair the regional sub-committee. The Council submitted its first interim report to the legislature in July 2009 and will submit its annual report in December 2009.
- A new industry director for the Creative Economy was appointed through the Office of Housing and Economic Development in June 2008. The first such appointment in the country. This appointment and the creation of the Creative Economy council are the results of direct efforts on the part of the Partnership and the Enterprise Center and represent two major steps toward moving the Creative Economy forward in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The word "partnership" means collaboration and cooperation, and that is what The Salem Partnership is --- a coming together of all segments of the community to better serve the Greater Salem area, and to thus make it a better place to live, work and visit. We hope that you, the residents and business people of greater Salem will use this website to communicate with us. Please feel free to contact me at any time with your comments or questions.
Patricia H. Zaido
Executive Director
The Salem Partnership