The Sustainable Opportunity Development Center, Inc. (The SOD Center) announces the expansion of The SOD Training Center.

The SOD Training Center offers a location in Salem, Ohio to help meet the training needs of area businesses. The expansion of services includes an Industrial Maintenance Readiness Program that will provide targeted entry level training in the Industrial Maintenance field. The training will include career readiness and technical training and placement with an employer. At the conclusion participants will acquire NIMS Credentials, OSHA 10- hour cards and entry level skills in Industrial Maintenance.

The SOD Center is a private not-for-profit 501c(3) economic development organization serving the City of Salem and surrounding areas. The SOD Center mission is facilitating growth to advance economic vitality and improve the quality of life for Salem residents.

Julie Needs, Executive Director of The SOD Center, commented that “We are very excited for the opportunity and partnerships this expansion brings to local manufacturing with targeted skilled training for entry level positions to not only Salem, but also Columbiana county that will assist in workforce growth and development for our local businesses.”

The SOD Center will be partnering with the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition on this project. MVMC will assist with program design and coordination.

“Collaboration among area workforce development agencies is often key to an efficiently run and successful program, and we believe the WorkAdvance model we bring to the partnership will help address the increasing demand for industrial maintenance workers in the region,” said Jessica Borza, MVMC executive director.

MVMC was formed in September 2011 by a group of small- and medium-sized, locally-owned manufacturers in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana Counties in Ohio solely for the purpose of “creating educational pathways to meet the needs of member companies for a skilled workforce.” The group is a grassroots effort led by industry with representation from public institutions of higher education, career and technical centers, county boards of education and public workforce systems.

With this expansion The SOD Training Center will also be adding a computer lab for computer-based learning courses or for use by those who may not have access to technology. The computer lab will aid the SOD Center in reaching and assisting under-represented populations as well as employers who may not have transportable technology for employees to attend computer courses.

The SOD Training Center will continue to offer courses and workshops to facilitate workforce development. With a focus on safety training, leadership development, workplace improvement, skills advancement and soft skills, Training Coordinator, Eva Slagle stated, “The SOD Training Center willcontinue to function as a facilitator, bringing professional trainers to our local community to offer cooperative training opportunities.”

Employers and participants interested in the Industrial Maintenance Readiness Program or the Computer Lab, please call the SOD Center at 330-337-7669.

The SOD Center looks forward to collaborating with MVMC, local businesses, workforce, and educators to expand workforce development for Salem and surrounding areas.

The SOD Training Center is located at 440 Pennsylvania Ave, Salem, OH within The SOD Center offices.

Salem, Ohio’s resilience proves a welcome commodity as Circle K opens their third store. The worldwide chain retailer’s slogan boasts, “From humble beginnings to world-class business;” therefore, Circle K and Salem are a perfect match. With its location near the bustling intersection of State Street and 14, the gas station\convenience store combo is primed for optimal traffic and commerce, and Salem’s thriving economy is ready to respond. Even in this modern era, which has been marred by uncertainty, Circle K boasts a whopping 122 available jobs company-wide, and a corporate-wide employee headcount of over 130,000. When combined with their 16,000 stores that operate in over 25 countries, Circle K’s new store is sure to add more job availability. Salem, Ohio continues to attract Companies looking to expand, and Circle K’s third location, combined with the recent addition of Chipotle, proves that Salem, Ohio’s business appeal shows no signs of slowing down.

CHIPOTLE—MADE JUST FOR YOU! A Chipotle Restaurant is the newest addition to Salem, Ohio’s growing business community. Located at 2203 E. State St. and open 7 days per week from 10:45 AM - 10:00 PM, they are now hiring all positions. According to Chipotle’s website,  they aim to “provide exceptional training and a clear career path – over 80% of our managers got promoted from Crew.” The website boasts an employee first mentality, with employee benefits that include (but are not limited to): tuition assistance; free food; medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid breaks; paid time off; holiday closures; and customized college degree programs.

In addition to the perks offered to potential employees, the global heavyweight maintained a rating on the #Fortune500 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies with a rating of #4 (which is actually up two from last year). With a top score of 8 in Global Competitiveness, and an overall score of 6.29, Chipotle shows no sign of slowing down. This bodes well for Salem because in this modern time of uncertainty, in which many communities are unfortunately struggling, Salem, Ohio continues to defy odds—just like with Chipotle’s continued success despite its own recent challenges.

Learn more about Chipotle in Salem, Ohio at ... https://jobs.chipotle.com/job/salem/new-restaurant-opening-in-salem-now-hiring-3565/282/17588811

For the City of Salem, Ohio

Ignite Salem – Forging Our Future Together

The Economic Development Plan for the City of Salem is meant as a guide toward improving and growing our community. The purpose of this plan is to address issues facing our community. This plan looks at Salem’s assets as well as what Salem is missing, prioritizes the need and takes steps toward obtaining those things that make a community thrive. The plan identifies goals to attract jobs, improve housing and enhance the quality of life.

City leaders and The SOD Center will utilize this plan to work with developers and businesses looking to invest in Salem. In this plan are specific goals and action steps toward achieving success for the Salem community. The goals are intended to be measurable and achievable. The goals outlined throughout this plan are 1 to 5 year goals. Annually leaders of the City and the SOD Center will review and evaluate the progress made toward achieving many of these goals. The intent is to look back on this plan in 5 years and know we have accomplished at least 75% of the goals listed.

The plan identifies areas of need such as business development and support, jobs, housing, education, downtown revitalization, and quality of life. The plan is intended to be flexible, allow for opportunity and account for some unexpected development. The goals in this plan come as a result of information gathered from the community survey, focus groups, city leaders and officials, city consultants, business owners and general feedback collected throughout the year. We hope you find the information pertinent and valuable, and as you read through this plan, you become excited about the future of Salem and consider investment in our community.

Sincerely,
Julie L Needs
Executive Director, SOD Center, Inc

2020 Ohio Business Matchmaker Ohio’s Largest Small Business to Government Contracting Event!!

For a more than a decade, the Ohio Business Matchmaker has connected small businesses to government contracting opportunities. As one of the largest business to government matchmaking events in the state, this event offers a unique opportunity for businesses interested in doing business with the federal, state or local government to meet with representatives to market and sell their goods and services. This event is open to all small and large businesses.

SAVE THE DATE: April 28-29, 2020
LOCATION: The Nutter Center at Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio 45324

In 1981 the City of Salem established a Community Reinvestment Area to assist in encouraging Economic and Community Development and housing maintenance.  Over the years Salem has made updates to the original “CRA”, most recently in 2017, to include the entire City of Salem boundary lines, with exception to specific excluded residential areas. 

CRA is a tax abatement program for new construction, expansion, and remodeling.   As a participant in the program you are eligible to receive up to a 15 year Tax Abatement on the “increased or improved value” of your real property.

To Qualify for CRA work must be completed in eligible abatement areas, obtain a City of Salem Zoning Permit, complete the Tax Abatement Application and file it with the Zoning Department before December 15^th of the year the project is completed.

Additional Business Incentives

In 2008 the City of Salem established 3 additional incentives to encourage Economic Growth in the City of Salem. These incentives are for enterprises expanding, starting or relocating within the City of Salem. 

Job Creation Incentive:

ADD NEW JOBS— Get back up to 55% of City withholding Tax! The intent of the Job Creation Incentive Program is to create jobs and increase the City’s competitiveness within the region. The program can provide a yearly incentive for relocating jobs or creating net new jobs in the City.  The term of the incentive can extend up to 5 years and can pay up to 55% of the annual City Withholding Tax back to the Employer.  New Downtown jobs relocated or created in the City can pay back up to 100% in the first year!

Net Profit Tax Incentive:

Bring in a NEW company or RELOCATE a company in the city — Get back up to 55% of City Net Profit Tax! The intent of the Net Profit Tax Incentive is to attract new start up business and encourage outside business to relocate within the City. This program can provide a yearly incentive for starting or relocating a business in the city by incenting up to 55% of the annual City Net Profit Tax based on the number of new employees added to the City.  This incentive program can be extended for up to 5 years. New Downtown Businesses can receive up to 100% incentive in the first year! 

Business Acquisition and Growth Incentive:

SAVE & ADD JOBS— Get back up to 100% of City Net Profit Tax! The intent of the Business Acquisition and Growth Incentive is to promote the turn-around of at-risk business within the City of Salem. The program can provide a yearly incentive for maintaining employment levels for 3 years or growing employment for up to 5 years and can pay up to 100% of the annual City Net Profit Tax based on the number of maintained employees or added employees to the City. The Job Creation, Net Profit Tax, and Business Acquisition Incentives require an application and approval of the Tax Incentive Oversight Board and each incentive has their own eligibility requirements.  For more information on any of the Business or the CRA Incentives, please contact Julie L. Needs, SOD Center Executive Director, at 330-337-7669.

Valuable Tools — Growing Salem

Read additional article on Incentives >

Contact SOD Center with Questions >

As we embrace the winter season and closeout a successful year at the SOD Center, we anticipate a new year with new growth and possibilities for The SOD Center, the City of Salem and surrounding areas.  I would like to take the opportunity to thank the SOD Center Board of Directors, City of Salem, local businesses, organizations, local and regional partners, volunteers and staff for your support of the SOD Center and support of economic growth for Salem and surrounding areas.

Focused on providing high-quality workforce training, developing relationships with local businesses, organizations, county and regional economic development partners, and promoting the SOD organization all made for a very busy and productive 2019.

I would like to share a few 2019 SOD Center highlights:

• November 1^st marked the one year anniversary of the SOD Training Center.  The training center has trained 716    individuals, provided training to 65+ companies, held 2 job fairs with 227 attending and 25 companies participating, and added 148 online/On Demand training options.  We are very pleased to have met the measurable goals of the Regional Job Training Grant 1 year early

• Assisted a local manufacturer with a multi-million dollar expansion creating 24 new jobs over the next 3 years by connecting them to Salem’s CRA incentive and a training grant provided by Team NEO and JobsOhio
• Identified priority development and redevelopment sites
• Continued partnership with SBDC and celebrated the opening of Amorette Farms, a SOD startup success story
• Expanding relationship with County Economic Development and Port Authority. Co-hosted 2 job fairs at the SOD Training Center, engaged in potential site development, and joined together with the Youngstown Regional Chamber and the Ashtabula Growth Partnership to form the “Lake to River” partnership
• Continued promotion of the SOD Center by establishing a more active social media presence, distributing the 1^st SOD newsletter, and continued updates on the SOD website
• Welcomed new SOD Center members.
• Began development of an Economic Development Plan for the City of Salem

As we reflect on 2019 accomplishments, we are focused and prepared for a successful new year celebrating a decade of service to the Salem Community.  In 2020 the SOD Center will complete the Economic Development Plan for the City of Salem and the SOD Center.  The training center will continue to grow adding new classes and workshops.  We will continue our mission to support business attraction, retention, expansion, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, quality of life and workforce development by connecting and collaborating with regional, state and national resources.

It has been a pleasure to serve as the Executive Director of the SOD Center and I look forward to celebrating our 10^th Anniversary in 2020 and continuing to GROW Salem. 

I wish you and your families a Safe Happy Holiday Season and a successful prosperous New Year.

Best Wishes,
Julie L Needs
Executive Director

The SOD Training Center celebrated 1 year of operation on November 1^st! It’s been a year of trial and error as we figure out what training is most needed, while balancing what needs we are able to meet well. We appreciate your support and willingness to attend training, give us feedback, make training suggestions, and offer your expertise.

We met the 2-year measurable goals of our grant within the first 5 months! To date we’ve hosted 726 training participants, established 22 training partnerships, trained individuals from 79 companies and 57 home zip codes, hosted 2 job fairs with 227 attendees and 25 hiring employers, and added 148 online course options to our training center website.

So what can you expect in 2020? The SOD Training Center will be honing in on training that meets the needs and requests of many local employers. In our remaining grant period from January to June 2020, expect to see the following courses on the SOD Training Center calendar of events:

• Microsoft Excel – Basics, Intermediate and Advanced courses
• Professional and Personal Development courses
  • Negotiating – Basics and Advanced
  • Project Management
• Intro to Seven Tools of Quality
• Communications Series
  • Effective Communication
  • Business Writing Etiquette
  • Communicating Across Generations
  • Delivering Tough Messages
  • Conflict Resolution
• Cyber Security Workshop
• Supervisory Boot Camp
• Safety Topics
  • OSHA 10 hour courses
  • Basic Fall Protection
  • Crane Operation & Rigging Seminar
  • Emergency Preparedness Planning Workshop

Some of these courses are already on our calendar – others will be posted soon! Visit SODCenter.com under the “Training Center” tab, and check back often as new courses are being added. We’ll see you at the Center!

In April of 2019 the SOD Center proposed developing an Economic Development Plan for the City of Salem.  With support of the City Council Economic Development committee, development of the plan began immediately with the release of a Community Survey to gather input from residents and non-residents working in Salem.

The community Survey was available on the SOD Center website, City Website, available at the Salem Public Library, Salem City Schools, Salem City employees, and through many organizations with a link to the survey.  The community responded with 245 surveys.  The SOD Center and the City are grateful for the response and input from the community.

This would not have been possible without the cooperation and assistance of the following organizations:

• Salem Area Chamber of Commerce
• Downtown Salem Partnership
• Kiwanis
• Key Club
• Rotary
• Salem Community Foundation
• Salem City Schools Board of Education
• The Salem Historical Society
• The United Way of Northern Columbiana County
• SOD Center Board of Directors
• Salem Public Library

In additional to the surveys the SOD Center is collecting feedback through focus groups and one on one interviews.  Our sincere gratitude to the organizations, focus group participants, and the personal interviews, for your time and input.

The Economic Development Plan will be a resource, strategy and measurement of growth in the Salem Community.

For more information on the Economic Development Plan, please contact Julie Needs, Executive Director of the SOD Center, at 330-337-7669 or execdir@sodcenter.com.