SALEM–The stakeholder survey for the city’s new five-year economic development plan is officially live.

The stakeholder survey is intended to guide development of the city’s new economic development plan for 2026 through 2030 which was discussed at length in a July 2 meeting of the economic development committee. Sustainable Opportunity Development Center Executive Director Julie Needs said at that meeting that the new five-year plan would have a stronger emphasis on community outreach and input to help shape the city’s development to best meet the needs and desires of Salem residents. Needs also said that it was hoped that increased community input would promote community buy-in and trust as the city’s development efforts continue.

“We need the people in the community to tell us what they feel. What do you want? How do you want your community to look? What can’t you get in Salem? This is not the SOD Center economic development plan, this is the Salem economic development plan so it’s important to have that participation and input,” said Needs.

The survey is estimated to take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and asks respondents questions about how they feel about Salem, what challenges they feel the city is facing, and ideas they may have to improve the community and is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TS2WB8Y. The survey does not ask for any identifying information and all responses are anonymous; however, there will be a contact information form after the survey that respondents can fill out to be entered in a random drawing to win $50 worth of gift cards from one of several local businesses including: Kast Iron Soda Works; The Rumpled Queen; The OG; BB Rooners; Ricky’s English Pub; and LiB’s Market.

Respondents must be at least 14 years old.