NEWBURYPORT — Arianny Rodriguez, a former director with Essex County Habitat for Humanity, recently joined the Institution for Savings as a mortgage originator for residential lending, announced Institution for Savings President and CEO Michael J. Jones.
In this role, Rodriguez will support residential mortgage lending through active community engagement and a personalized approach to the mortgage process. As a bilingual professional, she will guide English and Spanish-speaking borrowers through the mortgage process.
“I’m thrilled to have joined the Institution for Savings team,” Rodriguez said. “I take pride in being a trusted resource in the community and helping people turn what can feel like an overwhelming process into an exciting milestone. I look forward to working directly with potential new homebuyers and community partners.”
Before joining the Institution for Savings, Rodriguez served as director of housing operations for Essex County Habitat for Humanity, where she supported homeowner program eligibility and oversaw housing operations including leasing, occupancy management, maintenance coordination and resident services.
She maintained organizational compliance with federal, state and local housing regulations and fair housing laws. She has also served as a senior paralegal managing residential and commercial real estate transactions and closings.
“Ari is a great addition to our residential lending team,” Jones said. “She brings vast experience navigating the complexities of the housing market which will directly benefit individuals and families on the path to homeownership.”
The Methuen resident holds a bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College, as well as certifications in loan originator compliance, fair housing marketing and lottery. Outside of work, she has strong ties in the Lawrence and Methuen communities.
Rodriguez works at the Institution for Savings’ 68 Storey Avenue, Newburyport, location and travels throughout Essex County to meet with borrowers. She can be contacted at 978-225-1325 or arodriguez@ifs.bank .
Salem maintains AAA bond rating
SALEM, N.H. — S&P Global Ratings has reaffirmed the Town of Salem’s AAA bond rating with a stable outlook, the highest rating available for municipal credit.
The reaffirmation reflects continued confidence in Salem’s strong financial management, consistent operating performance and growing tax base. The AAA rating applies to the town’s general obligation bonds and long-term debt.
“Maintaining an AAA rating is not something that happens by chance,” said Town Manager Joe Devine. “It reflects years of disciplined financial decisions, strong collaboration across departments and a commitment to long-term planning. We’ve made it a priority to stay financially stable while continuing to invest in the community.”
The rating recognizes Salem’s ability to maintain healthy reserves, manage debt responsibly and adapt to changing economic conditions while continuing to deliver services and support growth.
An AAA rating allows the town to borrow at the most favorable interest rates, which helps reduce costs for taxpayers and supports continued investment in infrastructure and community priorities.
Salem first received its AAA rating in 2021 and has continued to maintain that standing in subsequent years
Workshop raised feelings of hope
WINDHAM — On April 1, the Women’s Club of Windham presented a program on domestic violence, stalking, trafficking and sexual assault.
Guest speakers included Suzanne Demers, an advocate for REACH in Manchester; Danielle Toussaint for BRIDGES in Nashua; and Lan Portnoy, education coordinator of BRIDGES in Nashua.
Demers and Toussaint presented multimedia clips of information about the services and connect survivors and their children to other helpful resources.
The program demystified common misconceptions and Demers and Toussaint talked about signs of abuse and outlined strategies for safe intervention. The program was enlightening and brought a feeling of hope and healing for survivors and their children.
Following the program presentation, there was a question and answer for the audience.
Chamber hosts speed networking
LAWRENCE — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a well-attended Speed Networking Night at Salvatore’s restaurant, bringing together a vibrant mix of members and prospective members for an evening of connection, collaboration, and opportunity.
The room was filled with energy as attendees rotated through a series of fast-paced networking rounds, allowing participants to make meaningful introductions, exchange ideas, and expand their professional networks in an engaging and efficient format.
The MVCC extends its sincere appreciation to event sponsor, the Greater Lawrence Kiwanis Club of Kiwanis International, for their support in making the evening possible.
The chamber also thanked all who attended, from long-time members to first-time participants, for contributing to another successful and memorable event.
For more information about upcoming events or membership opportunities, visit merrimackvalleychamber.com.
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