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Salem’s Economic Opportunities Analysis
As Salem grows, new businesses are moving to the city, and existing businesses are expanding. This growth increases the need for employment land. To ensure there is enough land to support future jobs, the City conducted the Salem Economic Opportunities Analysis in 2014.
Summary of the Economic Opportunities Analysis
The EOA studied Salem’s need for industrial and commercial land through 2035. The key findings were:
- Commercial Land Shortage: Salem is projected to have a 271-acre shortage of commercial land.
- 60 percent of the shortage is for office and commercial services (about 170 acres).
- 40 percent of the shortage is for retail and retail services (about 100 acres).
- Industrial Land Surplus: Salem is projected to have 907 acres more industrial land than needed to support industrial job growth.
The EOA also provided strategies to meet these land needs within Salem’s portion of the urban growth boundary. Along with the Housing Needs Analysis, the EOA confirmed that the UGB does not need to be expanded.
How the EOA Guides City Decisions
The Salem City Council adopted the EOA on October 26, 2015. Since then, the City has used the EOA to guide decisions about commercial and industrial land, including how to respond to rezoning requests.
As part of adopting the EOA, the City updated the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan to reflect the findings and align with Salem’s economic development goals. Key updates included:
- Preserving High-Value Industrial Land
- A policy was revised to emphasize the importance of protecting key industrial areas.
- Identifying Land for Conversion
- A new policy was added to identify areas that could be converted from industrial to commercial use if needed.
Supporting Salem’s Economic Growth
The EOA helps Salem plan for future job growth by ensuring there is enough land for businesses to thrive. It also provides a framework for balancing industrial and commercial land needs while supporting the City’s long-term economic development goals.