Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Salem Chamber urges council to 'do no harm' to small businesses, seeks permitting fixes
Summary
Tom Hoffert, CEO of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, told the council Jan. 12 to avoid new taxes and fees on small businesses, streamline permitting and keep downtown safe and welcoming; staff and councilors agreed to pursue pilot programs and code improvements.
Tom Hoffert, chief executive officer of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, urged the City of Salem on Jan. 12 to adopt a ‘‘do no harm’’ posture toward small businesses, arguing that in a slow-growth environment new fees, taxes or cumbersome processes will push businesses to relocate or close.
"Do no harm," Hoffert said, asking the council not to raise taxes or fees on Salem's small-business community and to prioritize permitting timelines, predictability and clarity. He recommended speeding permitting…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
