Develop Salem
Invest in Salem, New Jersey
Real Properties. Real Projects. Real Opportunity.
Salem is seeking developers, investors, businesses, and housing partners ready to invest in one of South Jersey's most historic communities.
From downtown mixed-use buildings and housing sites to waterfront, industrial, commercial, and large-scale redevelopment opportunities, Salem offers projects for developers of different sizes and specialties.
Salem Developer Tour
Friday, October 9, 2026 | 12:00-2:00 PM
See Salem's development opportunities firsthand through this guided bus tour around the City of Salem.
The Salem Developer Tour will give developers, investors, businesses, lenders, and development partners an opportunity to tour key sites, learn about available properties, discuss the City's development priorities, and explore potential incentives and financing resources.
Reception immediately following the tour at the Municipal Building.
Featured Public & City-Supported Opportunities
Port of Salem
Port / Industrial / Logistics
The Port of Salem offers opportunities for maritime, industrial, logistics, manufacturing, and port-related investment along the Salem River.
Block 13 + Old Salem Café
Downtown Mixed-Use
A collection of downtown properties offering opportunities for first-floor commercial uses, upper-floor residential development, and continued revitalization along Broadway and Market Street.
Westside / Choice Neighborhoods
Housing / Neighborhood Redevelopment
The Westside represents one of Salem's largest public neighborhood redevelopment opportunities.
The broader initiative includes Westside Court, Anderson Drive, the former middle school area, and surrounding properties. Opportunities may include new and mixed-income housing, neighborhood amenities, infrastructure, commercial activity, and partnerships with housing and community-development organizations.
Former Campbell Center
Adaptive Reuse / Community Development
The former United Way community center on Walnut Street offers an opportunity for creative adaptive reuse, housing, institutional, community-serving, or other compatible development.
Former Glass Factory
Waterfront / Brownfield Redevelopment
A major waterfront redevelopment site undergoing demolition, environmental work, and redevelopment planning. Salem is seeking a qualified partner to transform the property into a productive waterfront development.
Block 57 – 17 & 25 New Market Street Area
Downtown Infill / Redevelopment
17 and 25 New Market Street and the surrounding Block 57 area offer opportunities for new development that strengthens Salem's downtown and complements nearby commercial and residential investment.
Greives Parkway
Warehouse / Industrial Development
A major industrial development opportunity with an existing redevelopment plan. Salem is seeking a qualified developer capable of advancing the site into construction and productive use.
Broadway Historic Infill
Housing / Retail / Mixed-Use
Vacant lots and redevelopment properties along and near Broadway offer opportunities for infill housing, retail, apartments, and mixed-use development.
Many sites are within Salem's State and local historic districts.
Also see: City Properties for Sale | City of Salem New Jersey
City & Land Bank Properties
Salem is actively returning vacant and abandoned properties to productive use.
Available properties may include:
- Single-family rehabilitation opportunities
- Historic properties
- Vacant lots for new construction
- Downtown commercial properties
- Multi-property development packages
- Larger redevelopment sites
Properties may be owned by the City of Salem or held and managed through the Salem Land Bank/CCIA.
Developers must be approved before submitting offers for City development properties. Larger packages may require demonstrated experience, financing capacity, and a development plan.
Private Development Opportunities
Salem also works with private property owners and developers to support significant projects.
Kingston Estates
A proposed new residential community at the Walnut Street Farm site offering new housing and neighborhood amenities.
Fenwick Plaza
A major downtown redevelopment project planned around a new supermarket and New Jersey Department of Labor presence, creating opportunities for additional investment and commercial activity nearby.
Incentives & Financing
Public incentives can help close financing gaps, but every project is different. Eligibility and program availability depend on the project, location, financing structure, jobs created, historic status, environmental conditions, and required approvals.
Federal
Federal Opportunity Zones – Potential federal tax benefits for qualifying investment through Qualified Opportunity Funds.
IRS Opportunity Zones
20% Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit – Available for qualifying rehabilitation of certified historic, income-producing properties.
Federal Historic Tax Credit – National Park Service
USDA Rural Development – Salem's rural location may provide access to business, economic development, infrastructure, and financing programs.
USDA Rural Development – New Jersey
Salem County
Salem County Reduced Sales Tax — 3.3125% – Qualifying retail businesses in Salem County may charge half of New Jersey's standard sales-tax rate on eligible in-person retail sales, providing a competitive advantage for retailers locating in Salem.
NJ Division of Taxation – Salem County Reduced Sales Tax
Salem County Energy Sales Tax Exemption – Qualifying manufacturing businesses in Salem County may receive an exemption from sales tax on electricity and natural gas used at the facility.
Salem County Energy Sales Tax Exemption
Local Salem Tools
Depending on the project, the City may consider:
- Redevelopment agreements
- PILOT / long-term tax exemptions
- Five-year tax abatements
- City and Land Bank property disposition
- Brownfield coordination
- Predevelopment meetings
- Zoning and redevelopment guidance
- Coordination with State, County, and federal agencies
Local incentives are subject to eligibility, applicable law, negotiation, and required approvals.
New Jersey
NJEDA Historic Property Reinvestment Program – State tax credits supporting qualifying historic rehabilitation projects.
Historic Property Reinvestment Program
NJ Aspire – Gap-financing tax credits for qualifying commercial, residential, and mixed-use redevelopment projects. Program status and application availability may change.
NJ Aspire Program
NJ Emerge – Job-creation and retention tax incentives for qualifying businesses. Salem is identified as an enhanced-area municipality under the program.
NJ Emerge Program
Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program – Tax-credit assistance for qualifying remediation and redevelopment costs.
Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program
Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund – HDSRF – Grants and loans supporting investigation and remediation of contaminated properties for qualifying applicants.
HDSRF Program
NJEDA Financing & Incentives – Loans, tax credits, grants, bond financing, and other development and business programs.
NJEDA Financing & Incentives
Private & Alternative Capital
Projects may also benefit from:
- Bank financing
- CDFI financing
- Historic tax-credit equity
- Opportunity Zone equity
- Affordable housing financing
- Foundation and philanthropic support
- Impact investment
- Utility and clean-energy incentives
- Private development partnerships
Development Resources
The New Jersey Business Action Center can assist businesses and developers with State permitting, regulatory questions, financing resources, business expansion, and connections to State agencies.
New Jersey Business Action Center
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority provides financing and incentive programs for eligible businesses and development projects.
NJEDA Financing & Incentives
Start Your Salem Project
Interested in one of these properties or development areas?
Tell us what you want to build.
The City can help qualified developers understand property availability, zoning, redevelopment requirements, historic preservation, environmental conditions, incentives, approvals, and potential financing partners.
See an opportunity?
Let's talk about what it can become.
Properties, ownership, pricing, incentives, and development requirements are subject to change. Incentives are subject to eligibility, program availability, funding, underwriting, and required governmental approvals. Some properties are privately owned or controlled by partner entities and are presented for development-marketing purposes.