The opening of Salmon Arm's Innovation Centre, Makerspace and the Zest Commercial Food Hub, the establishment of a "hotel tax" to promote tourism, the creation of a community brand, several Launch-A-Preneur events and the opportunity to host the 2024 55+ BC Games.
This list just begins to scratch the surface of the things Lana Fitt has has a hand in over the past 15 years with the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS), a legacy Kate Watson hopes to build on while moving the organization forward as its new executive director.
"It is an incredible honour to continue building on the strong foundation set by Lana Fitt, whose dedication and leadership have been instrumental in the organization鈥檚 success," said Watson in an email.
On Monday, Aug. 18, the SAEDS board of directors announced Watson, the organization's former marketing coordinator, had been hired to take over from Fitt, who has served with SAEDS since 2010.
"Kate brings extensive experience in entrepreneurship, economic development, and community engagement, and will be responsible for guiding the organization鈥檚 strategic direction and continuing its work to strengthen Salmon Arm鈥檚 economy," said the board in a media release.
The board shared its appreciation of Fitt "for her leadership and commitment, which has laid a strong foundation for the organization鈥檚 future."
Sitting down with the Observer in an Aug. 19 interview, Fitt and Watson reflected on SAEDs, Salmon Arm and what's ahead. The latter includes a farewell gathering at the Innovation Centre on Friday, Aug. 22, Fitt's last day as executive director before she takes on a new job as finance manager for another organization. Though her new employer isn't in Salmon Arm, Fitt said the position allows her to work remotely, and she and her family will continue to live in Salmon Arm.
"It鈥檚 entirely remote, so for me it allows capacity for travel and for family and things like that that 鈥� it鈥檚 just the right time of my life to make that change," said Fitt, stressing the decision to leave SAEDS was not made lightly. "It's something I鈥檝e really been wrestling with for a little while now to kind of arrive at when is the right time to make my departure鈥�
"I think the other 'why now' is that the organization is really well positioned from a sustainability and succession standpoint. So the time felt really right for me that it was a safe and predictable time to move forward for me for sure."
Watson, who has been with SAEDS for the past three-and-a-half years, was one of about 30 people to apply the executive director position.
"I felt very honoured to have a lot of people reach out and ask if I was going to apply鈥� and a lot of encouragement, I would say right close to home," said Watson, smiling at Fitt. "City council members and businesses that I鈥檝e worked with and community organizations, it was very heartwarming to have everyone reaching out saying, 'Are you going to apply? Are you going to try and get that role?'
"I think a lot of it came from encouragement through the community鈥� at the same time, I am really excited to take on the role and to continue to work even more on relationship building with community organizations and to help support businesses in the community."
Watson is looking forward to the work ahead that includes developing the SAEDS' next five-year strategic plan.
"It feels like it鈥檚 this amazing opportunity, because there has been a lot of changes, especially in he last five years鈥�," said Watson. "It will be really exciting to see what comes from that and the direction we can move new programs and new initiatives to match that plan."
Fitt recalls her excitement when she became Salmon Arm's economic development officer, her family having moved to the community from Burns Lake.
"I think my kids were in Grade 2 and 3 at the time and I鈥檓 now a grandma, so it鈥檚 been a year or two鈥�," laughed Fitt. "But we really targeted Salmon Arm and I really wanted this role for sure. So just absolute excitement about what was to come for our family relocating, and the opportunity it would bring for my husband and my kids, but also excitement to contribute to this community."
When she started the job, the task of economic development fell on her and one other person, working out of the Old Courthouse building.
"So a little different today with seven staff, two locations between Zest and the Innovation Centre, and a little bit of a different role from when I first started."
While Salmon Arm was already an "extremely desirable community to live in" when she started, Fitt said its competitive advantages have strengthened over the years. A key contributing factor behind this was the community driven branding project that, in 2018, culminated with the city's new logo and the winning branding concept of "Small City, Big Ideas."
"That really helped us to tell our story a lot better鈥�," said Fitt. "The outcome of that process was really bringing together so many community organizations to tell the same story. We were very clear what our community stood for and what we meant and what was the authentic story behind Salmon Arm."
Asked what stands out as her greatest accomplishment with SAEDS, without hesitation Fitt responded not with a "what," but by celebrating the people she's worked with.
"We have such a committed group of individuals working for SAEDS, it鈥檚 such a unique environment," said Fitt. "I鈥檝e had the opportunity to work with a few different organizations and I would say this by far and away exceeds any that I鈥檝e ever worked in terms of the climate of support and collaboration and knowledge sharing.
"I think we鈥檝e done a really good job of hiring people that have different mindsets, skillsets and talents, and so it鈥檚 created this incredible group of people who are all working towards the same common goals and who are all drive by community development鈥 think my biggest legacy is the ongoing work this team does in the community and I have no doubt it鈥檚 going to continue鈥�"
Countering Fitt's humility, Mayor Alan Harrion praised her and the "significant, long-lasting and positive differences" she's made to the business landscape of Salmon Arm.
"Through her leadership, Economic Development's focus on supporting existing business and attracting new ones, is solidly in place," said Harrison in an email to the Observer. "Her energy and creative intelligence has moved our City to a location that is known throughout Western Canada as a place that welcomes entrepreneurs and is now known as a great place to do business."
Harrison called Fitt a collaborative leader, who lead the rebranding of Salmon Arm and who went "far beyond her mandate, promoting our region in every sector."
"Lana was the backbone of business support for the 55+ Games, and has worked collaboratively with Downtown Salmon Arm, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, Indigenous governments and the CSRD," said Harrison. "Lana knows the power of making a difference lies in relationships, and she established many of these throughout our region.
"I know Lana will continue to be an involved Salmon Arm resident, making a difference in the new paths she chooses to take."
Harrison, however, agreed with Fitt about her legacy being "the team she has raised up at Salmon Arm Economic Development."
"While she will be sorely missed, we are confident the team she has built, led by new Executive Director Kate Watson, will continue to carry our torch forward."
Waston said she is grateful for and honoured by the opportunity to have worked with and learned from Fitt.
"I am committed to maintaining the positive trajectory of SAEDS while seeking out new and innovative ways to foster economic growth in our community," said Watson. "Salmon Arm is not just my home; it is a place I deeply care about, and I am truly honoured to collaborate with the many talented individuals and organizations that make our community so vibrant."
Fitt, meanwhile, will continue following the work of Watson and her former SAEDS family with interest.
"I鈥檓 super excited to watch where it goes and what it does from here," said Fitt. "I know there are going to be amazing things under the new leadership for sure."
