Salem is an excellent place for businesses due to its vibrant community, dynamic tourism industry, collaborative government and non-profit partnerships, and strategic location on the North Shore. The city fosters a welcoming environment with a diverse business community, including creative and tech firms, benefiting from a bustling downtown and access to a highly educated workforce.
Salem has long been, and continues to be, a leader in the Commonwealth in terms of smart policies and strategic initiatives that create positive change. There are a number of designations that further reinforce Salem’s strengths as a community that can support you and your business.
Salem is an Age-Friendly City
Salem became the first City on the North Shore to join AARP’s national network of Age-Friendly communities and only the third in the Commonwealth. Acceptance to the network meant the City committed to developing an action plan that focuses on establishing a vision for each of what the AARP and WHO call the “eight domains” of an age-friendly community: civic participation and employment, communication and information, community support and health services, outdoor space and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, and respect and social inclusion.
Image courtesy of Salem for All Ages
Image courtesy of the City of Salem
Salem is a Child-Friendly City
In September 2025, the City of Salem officially announced its partnership with UNICEF USA by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to start its three-year journey toward recognition as a UNICEF Child Friendly City. Over the next three years and beyond, the city will work to strengthen support for children and families throughout Salem.
When we make our communities better places for children, we make them better places for all.
Salem is a Gateway City
Salem is one of 26 municipalities that are considered Gateway Cities. Gateway Cities are midsize urban centers that anchor regional economies around the state. For generations, these communities were home to industry that offered residents good jobs and a “gateway” to the American Dream. Now, these communities face social and economic challenges though they possess significant assets and unrealized potential.
Image by Ty Hapworth
Image provided by Neal Duffy
Salem is a Climate Leader
Salem was one of 19 inaugural municipalities to achieve Climate Leader certification through the MA Department of Energy Resources (MA DOER) in May of 2025. To achieve this, the City needed to meet requirements above and beyond those of MA DOER’s Green Communities program (designated, 2010) such as committing to the elimination of on-site fossil fuel use by the City by 2050, developing a decarbonization roadmap, adopting the Specialized Stretch Energy Code, establishing a Zero Emission Vehicle First purchase Policy, and having a local committee that advises and supports sustainability and resiliency efforts.
This certification is one example of the many efforts associated with the City’s overall climate action goals and actions defined in Resilient Together, Salem’s joint climate action plan with the city of Beverly that was adopted in 2021.
Salem is a Housing Choice Community
Salem is a Housing Choice Community as recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This designation recognizes communities implementing pro-housing policies and increasing housing production. The designation also provides exclusive access to state funding and technical assistance for housing development. The city has its own Housing Choice Initiative and the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) to create more housing options for residents.
Image by Ty Hapworth