The community, which will sit on 34 acres, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. It will feature 36 independent villas, a three-story high rise with 52 independent mid-market apartments and 36 assisted living suites, a clubhouse, fitness center, bocce and pickleball courts, raised gardens, a dog park on-site restaurant/bar, spiritual services and a marketplace.

Rich Limongi, CEO, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Retirement Services Inc., said there is a big push for health and wellness within the community and there would also be outdoor seating for outdoor concerts and things of that nature. 

Once construction is completed there are plans to expand the services offered with the addition of a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility if there is a need for it. This is probably about five years down the road, Limongi said. 

This is the first Shepherd of the Valley facility to be built in Columbiana County. The company is not yet looking into any other locations in Columbiana County. 

The leadership team at The Shepherd of the Valley, Salem Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey and engineers on the project take a selfie with the golden shovels used to break the ground for construction of the new Shepherd of the Valley Senior Living Center in Salem. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) 

According to a media release provided by Shepherd of the Valley, there are more than 50 individuals already on a waiting list for the community, which underscores the strong demand for senior living options in the region. 

Shepherd of the Valley is working with the architecture firm Baker, Bednar, Snyder and Associates, DeSalvo Construction and Engineering firm and Scheeser Buckley Mayfield. 

Limongi said that the Salem location is the first time the company has ventured outside of Trumbull and Mahoning counties. The company wants to expand their geographical footprint and market studies have shown that there is a huge need for seniors living in the Salem community and they are glad to be a part of the community. 

Limongi said the company is excited to be coming to Salem. 

Prior to the shovels in the dirt for groundbreaking, several members of the Shepherd of the Valley Community and Salem Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey spoke to the shareholders, community partners and board members present at the groundbreaking ceremony. 

Dirt flies as golden shovels are used to break ground and begin construction on the new Shepherd of the Valley Senior Living Center being constructed in Salem. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)  

Lauren Flauto, director of marketing, sales, and communications, echoed Limongi’s comments about being excited to come to the Salem community and thanked everyone for coming out to support Shepherd of the Valley. 

Pastor Christine Briggs, corporate chaplain, opened the groundbreaking ceremony with the invocation. 

Limongi told the audience that it was an exciting day for the city of Salem and Shepherd of the Valley, and he extended his thanks to all who came out for the groundbreaking celebration. 

“The groundbreaking represents far more than the start of a construction project, it’s the beginning of a new opportunity for seniors and their families in Salem, Ohio and in the surrounding communities,” Limongi said. 

Limongi spoke on the clubhouse which he said is going to be the heart of the community and he hopes a place where neighbors can come together, and friendships will form, and their lives enriched. 

Salem Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey speaks to the guests who came out for the new Salem Shepherd of the Valley Senior Living Community groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday.  (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) 

He also said that the community is being built with a purpose, and it will bring vitality to Salem and create jobs and give Salem’s seniors a place they can call home. 

“As we turn this ground today, we are laying a foundation that goes beyond bricks and mortar; we are laying the foundation for dignity, for belonging and community,” Limongi said. 

Joey DeAbate, president, Shepherd of the Valley board of directors, said that he wanted to give a board perspective of the project, and the board members did their due diligence and found it to be obvious especially with the collaboration from Dickey that the collaboration/project was bound to succeed and provide outstanding care and merging their philosophies with Salem. 

Dickey said she wanted to thank Shepherd for coming to Salem and investing in the community and that the senior living community would be a part of Salem for years to come. 

She also said housing had been one of the biggest challenges, especially for quality safe housing. No other age group that needs housing is growing faster than the senior community, Dickey said. There is the need for housing that allows seniors to remain in the community they have spent a great part of their lives in. 

Joey DeAbate, president, board of directors, The Shepherd of the Valley, speaks to the guests who attended the groundbreaking ceremony for their new location in Salem. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) 

Dickey recalled when she served as a council member, residents coming to her and telling her they needed senior housing, and she hasn’t forgotten that. She noted that she is happy the project is happening, not just because it’s wanted, but needed. She also said that she is part of the 55-plus community and she wants her friends and family to remain close to her and that Salem seniors are leaking away to surrounding communities for senior living and they are doing it reluctantly because the places they are going are not their community and they want to be in Salem. 

Dickey also noted that of all the companies to come to Salem she is happy that it is Shepherd because she knows from experience that the company knows the needs of the senior community and fills the needs and are very ethical because she worked with them for several years as their director of home care. 

“This is going to be so good for the city in so many ways,” Dickey said. “The biggest thing is going to be providing housing for seniors to keep them in our community. The other thing is going to be economics, which is going to be a boost over the next several years.

Rich Limongi, CEO, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Retirement Services Inc., speaks to the guests who attended the groundbreaking ceremony for their new location in Salem. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) 

Lauren Flauto, director of marketing, sales, and communications, The Shepherd of the Valley, welcomes everyone to the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Salem location. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) 

Pastor Christine Briggs, corporate chaplain, The Shepherd of the Valley, opened the groundbreaking ceremony with the invocation. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) 

Shepherd of the Valley board members, Salem community members and business partners gather at the groundbreaking of the new Salem Senior Living Community. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) 

A large poster shows the clubhouse that will be at the heart of Salem’s new Shepherd of the Valley Senior Living Community. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) 

Gold shovels sit in the ground at 600 Legacy Lane, Salem, for the groundbreaking of the new Shepherd of the Valley Senior Living Community. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) 

Construction hard hats sit on the podium for participants in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Shepherd of the Valley Senior Living Community to wear when they put shovels in the ground. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)