Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
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 and sign-code processes, expanding access to capital and continuing partnerships with workforce programs.
Hoffert suggested three practical priorities for local government: avoid new taxes and fees; make government processes work better for businesses (especially permitting and sign processes); and keep Salem safe, clean and welcoming for commerce. He also asked the council to consider reimbursing businesses for a downtown parking assessment tied to paid parking and offered Chamber programs and partnerships — including outreach through Chemeketa and the Salem Contractors Exchange — to assist struggling businesses.
Councilors followed with detailed questions about barriers to expansion, recruitment and workforce development. Hoffert said the Chamber provides mentorship, a past-presidents network and training programs and can help connect businesses to city procurement opportunities. City Manager Krista Nambury and councilors acknowledged the challenges and said leadership is working on code improvements and permit-process changes, and that several pilot programs addressing safety and outreach are underway.
The presentation framed the business community’s request as both an economic-development and a public-safety priority; councilors thanked Hoffert for the materials he provided and for the Chamber’s commitment to local partnerships.
The council did not adopt a policy change at the meeting but signaled support for staff work to return proposals and suggested the Chamber and staff coordinate on next steps.
