The Salem Town Council will hold two public hearings on March 18, 2024, at 7:00 pm during their meeting at the Salem High School Media Center (44 Geremonty Drive Salem, NH 03079). Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are available to municipalities through the NH Community Development Finance Authority (NHCDFA).

The following amounts are available for municipalities each year through the NHCDFA CDBG funds: up to $500,000 for public facility projects, up to $500,000 for housing projects; up to $500,000 annually for economic development projects, up to $350,000 for emergency activities, and up to $25,000 is available per planning study grant. All CDBG projects must primarily benefit low and moderate income persons. The purpose of the hearings is to update the public on the progress of, and take comment on, two CDBG Projects.

Depot & Main Project: In 2022, the Town of Salem received $500,000 in CDBG funds, of which $475,000 was sub granted to Depot & Main LLC, for the acquisition of 41 Main Street in Salem. The property was acquired in June 2022. Seventy-four (74) units of affordable housing have been constructed on the site. The Certificate of Occupancy was received on January 30, 2024, and the units are currently being leased out. The units will be restricted to affordable housing for 30 years.

Friendship Drive Project: In 2020, the Town of Salem received $150,000 in CDBG funds, of which $130,000 was sub granted to Friendship Drive Cooperative, for electrical upgrades at Friendship Drive Manufactured Housing Park. Forty-four (44) units of housing are occupied by primarily low-and-moderate-income households. The electrical upgrades are scheduled to begin construction in March 2024 and be completed fall 2024.

Interested persons are invited to attend and comment. Provisions for persons with special needs can be made by contacting the Town Manager’s Office, via telephone (603-890-2120) or by email (TownManager@SalemNH.gov), at least five (5) days prior to the public hearing.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments should address them by email to TownManager@SalemNH.gov or by physical mail to:

Town of Salem
Attn: Town Manager’s Office
33 Geremonty Drive
Salem, NH 03079