Category Business
Salem councilors want air service back, but who pays remains unclear
One commercial airline, Aha!, wrote a letter to the TSA in March expressing interest in serving Salem with a 50-seat plane. But a recent assessment by the agency found that would require a minimum $3.9 million in renovations.
Salem’s next pilots, truck drivers to benefit from workforce grants
A Chemeketa truck driving student gets pointers on inspecting a trailer. The college’s program is set to expand with free slots for 30 students thanks to a state workforce training grant. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter) When an influx of Afghan refugees began arriving in Salem last…
A hands-on start led to success for one of Salem’s major builders
Rich Duncan, president of Rich Duncan Construction, on site at his company’s rebuild of the Oregon School for the Deaf in 2010. The company was recently named the Salem Chamber of Commerce’s business of the year (Courtesy photo) Rich Duncan is working at the 30,000…
Chamber names Rich Duncan Construction as ‘Business of the Year’
Rich Duncan (second from left) and some of his team at Rich Duncan Construction, named as 2022 Business of the Year (Salem Area Chamber of Commerce) When much of the mountain community of Detroit burned in the 2020 wildfires, recovery seemed uncertain. But a Salem…
Rising costs, supply chain problems plague construction projects in Salem
For Pence Construction, a Salem commercial contractor, this year marked the first time a construction project hinged on dimmer switches. All other supplies are in, but Brent Pence, owner and senior project manager, said they can’t have dimmable light switches in hand until August. “My…
COLUMN: Low-wage workers who kept society running during pandemic reaped few rewards
About half of local openings for high-demand jobs pay lower wages (Graphic by Pamela Ferrara) In April of 2020, the Salem area unemployment rate climbed in one month’s time from 3.9 percent to 11.3 percent, due to business shutdowns to control the pandemic. The high…
Big jumps in food prices hit Salem restaurants, institutions
Annette’s Westgate Cafe goes through about 330 pounds of bacon a week. It’s a staple for the Salem restaurant on Northwest Edgewater Street, which has been serving hearty meals for 15 years. Owner Brian Kato Dilks said many of the proteins served at Annette’s are…
Spiraling costs have some local families choosing between food, medical care
Holli Thomas’ breast cancer is responding to the drug trial she’s enrolled in. But the 54-year-old Keizer resident has to drive to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland for her treatment. With gas prices over $5 per gallon, she’s now having to sell clothes…
Salem Reporter earns journalism awards in Northwest regional competition
Gov. Kate Brown and kindergarten students give out socially-distanced air-hugs during Gov. Brown’s visit to Lincoln Elementary School in Woodburn. These and related photos were cited in May 2022 for journalistic excellence. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Salem Reporter was recognized for journalistic excellence for its coverage…