Salem Area Chamber Adds Members, Events

SALEM – Welcoming 34 new members in 2023, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce tied the 2016 record for total membership, says Lori Jewell, executive director.

The chamber’s annual marketing campaign resulted in a record-setting 52 sponsorships, she says, which funded chamber donations to The Banquet of Salem, The Brightside Project, city of Salem fireworks, Concerts in the Park, Quakertown Super Kids, the Salem Community Pantry and others.

The July golf outing drew 23 teams and the Downtown Dining Experience in September generated more than $4,000 for the United Way Services of Northern Columbiana County.

During Quakerfest in October, Salem businesses and the chamber sponsored family activities, Jewell says.

The chamber, working with Simply Scarves and Such, left hats and gloves out for Warm Up Salem in November, when the chamber was recognized as a Neighborhood Champion for Small Businesses by American Express.

A multitude of member events took place last year including 12 business networking luncheons, 13 ribbon cuttings and meetings of the Salem Area Safety Council.

New events flourished as well, Jewell says. She cites the Golden Egg Hunt, Chamber Gallery of Art and the chamber’s job postings service, GrowthZone.

The Chamber Gallery of Art has a full slate of exhibitions through June 2025. An Ohio Arts Council grant, along with support from Vic Marosher, allowed tracking for gallery expansion in 2024, Jewell says.

More than 90 volunteers participated in the chamber beautification committee’s Downtown Clean Up in April. And the committee sold out for both the spring and holiday adopt-a-planter program.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.