• Unemployment rate:  7.2%
• Median Household Income: $24,193
• Per Capita Income: $14,463
• 23% of the labor force works outside of the county
• 12.5% of the county employees live outside of the county

Community Overview:

Salem and Dent County are in south central Missouri in the heart of the Ozarks, twenty minutes from the Ozark National Scenic Riverways National Park. Large mining and milling operations have been located near Salem for many years.  Recently, this booming industry has declined, leaving a gap in quality employment opportunities.  Other major industries are wood related (stave bolts, charcoal, and flooring) and food product distribution. Cut and sew plants, once plentiful in the area are almost extinct.  Tourists come to the area to float the rivers, fish and hunt and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  However, the community has recognized the need and opportunity to develop the tourism industry and increase visitors to the area. Increasing incomes and enhancing job skills are priority issues. Only thirty-six percent of the population has a high school education. The area, a very rural community once dependent on agriculture and land, is now dominated by jobs in the service area. 

Strategic Plan Highlights:  

With the implementation of its strategic plan, the Salem County Champion Community seeks to achieve a balance in economic and community development. The plan highlights include:

• Increased Continuing Educational Opportunities;
• Increased Awareness of Health Services and Education;
• Improved Landscaping/Community Appearance;
• Retention and Attraction of New Business and Industry;
• Continued Development of Industrial Park;
• Enhanced Marketing Skills of Entrepreneurs;
• Easier Access to Goods and Services (Streets, Sidewalks Curbs, Guttering);
• Enhanced Tourism Planning and Development; and,
• Cooperation Between Local Government and Community Leaders.

Partnerships:

• The City of Salem and Salem Area Community Betterment (SCABA) have worked jointly through the planning process, as well as, implementation of projects. The city has two ex-officio members that serve on the SACBA Board.  The city provides the fiscal resources for the SACBA beautification programs and city employees help maintain these beautification projects after they are developed. This is one of many community-wide activities these organizations co-sponsor.

• The Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem collaborated on a number of community projects.  The annual Fourth of July Parade and Holiday Parade of Lights sponsored by the chamber could not happen without the support of city employees and the police department.  The city provides an annual fiscal allocation of $10,000 to the chamber. The new website www.salemmo.com is the official site of both the chamber and the city.

• Community Betterment and the Chamber of Commerce of Commerce have created a new partnership.  They signed a Memorandum of Understanding and occupy the same building in the new Visitor Center. SACBA provides volunteers to the chamber to assist in keeping the office open longer hours and more accessible to the public. The chamber with support from South Central Community Action Agency provides a public access computer to with high-speed connectivity to the center. Together they provide a visible and accessible center for tourists and visitors to the area.

• The Commons, a new 501(c)3 non-for-profit organization in the community has been very successful in securing individual and business support to assist with the development of their new 70-acre expo and common area.  Grant support, as well as, community support has helped make this new community facility become a reality.

• The Dent County Industrial Development Board and City of Salem Economic Development work cooperatively to attract business and industry.  The Dent County Commission appoints the twelve-member board and the City of Salem funds the Economic Development Director.

• The Salem Telecommunications Community Resource Center created a community partnership among the Salem R-80 School, City of Salem, US Food Service, Bank of Salem, Town and Country Bank and the University of Missouri. The Missouri National Guard supported the project by providing the facility for the center.  This telecommunications center links the local community to educational resources throughout the state and nation.

• Southwest Baptist University, local organizations and individuals joined resources to build a new 1.7 million dollar satellite campus in Salem.  The new campus enrolls local students to help continue their education and increase job skills.

Leveraging

 Some examples of leveraging of funds include:

• A USDA Rural Development grant for community facilities (teacher closet and visitor center), a USDA- RBOG Grant for Tourism Development, two USDA grants to support economic development infrastructure (roads for economic development) and another USDA grant for roads for the Commons (Fair Grounds, Expo –Area).

• A State of Missouri Community Development Block Grant for sewer systems, and economic infrastructure, Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credits for the Bonebrake Nature Center, Youth Tax Credits for the new Youth Building at the Commons Area, and Department of Economic Development Workforce training resources for on the job training.

• The Missouri Department of Transportation, (MODOT) constructed new roads in Salem, including a five-lane highway, curb and guttering in the new business area, additional sidewalks, curbs and guttering on the Hwy 19 and 32 through Salem, and funded a grant to develop a hiking and biking trail.

• The University of Missouri, Southwest Baptist University, Missouri National Guard, local school, banks and private foundations have joined with other local resources to help establish satellite campus and a center for continuing education opportunities.

Community Involvement:

• The Salem area has an active community betterment organization that serves as a broad based group bringing different agencies, organizations and leaders to the same table for planning and implementing community wide actives. Community pride and beautification has received a great deal of attention. Efforts to involve citizens and leaders in overall community betterment has been effective.

• A 1994 community survey identified a lack of opportunities in the area for continuing education. Enhancing educational opportunities became a priority for the community. A new Southwest Baptist University satellite campus has been established, as well as, a Telecommunications Community Resource Center with the University of Missouri. Both of these organizations have management and planning boards of all partners (local and statewide).

• The Dent County Industrial Development Board and City of Salem Economic Development work cooperatively to attract business and industry.  Recently, a joint effort resulted in the attraction of Daisy Outdoor Products locating a plant in the area.  The twelve-member board is appointed by the Dent County Commission and Economic Development Director is funded by the City of Salem.

• Healthy Communities, a 501(c)3 non-for profit organization continues to be very active in the community.  They collaborate with local health and social service agencies and the ministerial fellowship to address health issues.  A Faith-in-Action grant and a Cardio-Vascular Wellness Grant help support their efforts to reach local citizens with health and wellness programs in the community.

• An advisory committee on Tourism Development conducted a community wide needs assessment and identified priority issues related to this industry. Businesses and community leaders are developing marketing materials to promote the area. Local businesses have participated in training programs on ‘Creating Your Website’ and ‘Marketing on the Internet’.   The advisory committee is a joint effort of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Salem and local businesses that provide services for tourists.

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