The city is fortunate to have a number of high-quality technical resources available to our business owners at little or no-cost. The following is a listing of those agencies, contact information, and a brief description of their services. If you are unsure of where to start, contact the Department of Planning and Community Development for assistance.
Enterprise Center, Salem State College
Christine Sullivan, Executive Director
121 Loring Avenue
Salem, MA 01970
978/542-7528
The Enterprise Center at Salem State College is both a business incubator where start up small businesses may lease space in the center’s building and virtual center for entrepreneurs through the North Shore at every stage of business development. The Center helps match business owners with the best advice and resources available, provides programs and conferences, conference facilities and other resources to help owners learn what they need to grow.
Salem State College Small Business Development Center
Walter Manninen and Awilda Irizarry, Business Counselors
Enterprise Center, Salem State College
352 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
978/542-6890
The Salem State College SBCD, a counseling center of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, provides free and confidential business counseling to prospective and existing small businesses and confidential management counseling and free or low-cost business seminars to help business owners raise capital, start or grow your business in Massachusetts.
Salem Harbor Community Development Corporation (SHCDC)
Debra Askanase, Small Business Services Specialist
102 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA 01970
978/825-4011
The Salem Harbor CDC’s small business assistance program: Advancing Community Business, combines small business assistance, training, and lending in a one-stop center designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs. The mission of the program is to assist low-income, female and minority business owners or potential business owners with business planning, access to financing, and training.
Salem Chamber of Commerce
Rinus Oosthoek, Executive Director
63 Wharf Street
Salem, MA 01970
978/744-0004
The Salem Chamber of Commerce serves as the voice for member businesses, representing, advocating, and working to enhance the business environment.
MassDevelopment provides the financial tools and real estate expertise needed to stimulate economic growth across the state of Massachusetts. We work with businesses and local officials to address blighted areas, help create jobs, and address overarching issues that impact economic development, such as housing affordability.
The Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development is a private, non-profit partnership of business, industry leaders, and government dedicated to the economic growth of Massachusetts.
Salem is home to the to the North Shore Workforce Investment Board which brings together businesses, educational institutions and community organizations to provide opportunities to prepare the workforce now and into the future. Its Salem Career Center offers a myriad of services and resources for the job seeker and potential employer to the eighteen cities and towns that are served by the Workforce Investment Board. Phone 978-741-3805.
The SBA offers numerous financing and technical assistance programs to assist small businesses.
For more information or if you need assistance please contact:
Tania Hartford, Economic Development Planner
City of Salem, Department of Planning and Community Development
120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Salem, MA 01970
978/745-9595 x311
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