Business in Salem

Salem is well positioned in the heart of Southeastern Connecticut.  Geographically, Salem is centrally located with good access to Hartford, Norwich, New London, Willimantic, and other metropolitan areas in the eastern region of our state.  Businesses located in Salem enjoy access to major interstate highways and state roads providing for the transportation infrastructure so important to a healthy business and industry climate.  Downtown Hartford is thirty minutes away, New London and Norwich are approximately twenty minutes each, and major highways such as I-95, I-395, and Connecticut Routes 11 and 2 are major divided highways linking Salem with delivery points throughout the U.S.

The business climate in Salem is ripe for development, with land in industrial and commercial business zones targeted for aggressive growth.  The town welcomes new businesses who are good rural neighbors and who will fit into the distinctly rural atmosphere of the town.  It is a beautiful countryside with many active farms and a relaxed lifestyle whose residents wish to keep the rural charm and beauty of Salem intact.  The town is prospecting for business and industry growth compatible with this goal.

Click on the zoning map button at the right to view available industrial, commercial business, and highway commercial business zones.  Special attention is called to the industrial zone located on the west side of town adjacent to the full interchange of Route 11 at Witch Meadow Road.  This location is ideal for warehouses, shipping and transfer facilities, and other businesses that make use of large capacity over-the-road transit.  This particular zone is mostly undeveloped, and thus offers excellent opportunities for these types of businesses.

The “four-corners” area located at the junction of State Routes 82 and 85 is well developed with commercial businesses offering a variety of services because of the high traffic count.  Established businesses located there include two office buildings, fast food and full service restaurants, video rental store, large custom meat butcher and retail store, bank, dentist, family physician, two florists, pet shop, veterinarian, barber shop, and a gas station.  These existing businesses provide a strong base and a climate that welcomes new businesses to the community.

Interested business owners will find that the residents of Salem are supportive of business development that is in harmony with their rural way of life.  The crossroads location is excellent, there is plenty of land for business growth and development, and the community is convenient to many points of interest and commercial centers in the region.

Members of the town’s Economic Development Commission, and the First Selectman, are available to assist anyone wishing to locate their business in Salem.  Interested principals or their representatives are encouraged to contact the Economic Development Commission at EDC@salemct.gov or the First Selectman at (860) 859-3873, Selectman@salemct.gov.