Salem officials discuss development plan for city

SALEM — Salem would be poised to become a regional economic powerhouse under a pending economic development plan.

About 100 community leaders got a peek at the plan today during the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual economic forecast program.

Details of the comprehensive plan from the Salem Area Enterprise Development Forum are skimpy because the plan hasn’t been written, according to Daniel Moore, the chamber’s economic development chairman.

The writing process may take several months to complete, followed by efforts to explain it and implement it.

David Nestic, forum chairman, said, “If the plan sits on the shelf, it’s our failure.”

But interest appears to be high. The annual forum brought in about 100 people, about twice the average, he noted.

The plan seeks to improve the economy in Salem, which already has industrial, commercial, educational, historical and cultural resources.

For the complete story, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.