Salem City Council Approves Downtown Building Improvement Grants

City aims to revitalize downtown with TIF funding and new home demolition program

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Salem City Council has approved a $47,000 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) grant to help Jered Gambill purchase and rehabilitate four downtown buildings. The council also approved requests to allow upstairs living in two other renovated buildings. Additionally, the city purchased a dilapidated home and will seek bids to sell the lot, with the goal of getting someone to demolish the home and reuse the land, saving the city the cost of demolition.

Why it matters

The city's efforts to provide TIF grants and allow for more downtown living are part of a broader strategy to revitalize Salem's downtown area, which has struggled with vacant and aging buildings. The new home demolition program is an innovative approach to addressing substandard properties without the city having to bear the full cost.

The details

The $47,000 TIF grant will be provided to Jered Gambill in two phases - $10,000 upfront for the purchase of the properties, and the remaining $37,000 after he completes roof repairs, tuckpointing, and other structural improvements. The council also approved Gambill's requests to allow upstairs living in two other renovated buildings on West Main Street. Additionally, the city purchased a dilapidated home for $814 and will seek bids to sell the lot, with the goal of getting someone to demolish the home and reuse the land, saving the city the cost of demolition.

  • The Salem City Council approved the TIF grant and other measures on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The city purchased the dilapidated home from the Marion County Trustee prior to the council meeting.

The players

Jered Gambill

A local developer who will receive a $47,000 TIF grant to purchase and rehabilitate four downtown buildings.

Leah Dellicarpini

The Economic Development Director for the City of Salem, who says the TIF grant will help shore up more downtown buildings.

Nic Farley

The Mayor of Salem, who hopes to see more downtown living in the city and says the new home demolition program has been successful in other cities.

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What they’re saying

“The work will shore up more downtown buildings.”

— Leah Dellicarpini, Economic Development Director (southernillinoisnow.com)

“The goal is to get someone to purchase the property, tear down the home, and reutilize the land. The process would save the city the cost of demolition.”

— Nic Farley, Mayor (southernillinoisnow.com)

What’s next

The city will begin seeking bids to sell the lot with the dilapidated home, with the goal of finding a buyer who will demolish the home and reuse the land.

The takeaway

Salem's efforts to revitalize its downtown through TIF grants, allowing for more downtown living, and an innovative home demolition program demonstrate the city's commitment to addressing vacant and aging buildings and creating a more vibrant urban core.