A Letter to the Community

To the Lewis County Community,

As I wrap up my time as Executive Director at Naturally Lewis, I’ve been reflecting on the past nine years in rural economic development, and honestly, it’s hard to put into words just how grateful I am.

When I stepped into the executive director role in 2020, I didn’t have all the answers. What I did have was a commitment and responsibility to this community - to listen, to show up, and to make sure our work reflected the real needs, future dreams, and true potential of Lewis County - my home. It wasn’t about some outside idea of what economic development “should” be, but what it could look like here, in this place, with our talented people.

We’ve done a lot together. Gone are the days of throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what project, program or initiative sticks. We built a strategy based upon slowing down, asking different questions, and identifying what is already working well here in Lewis County.  We started to build something that actually fit for Lewis County. We shifted the focus from what was missing to what was possible; from “fixing” Lewis County and ‘everything we don’t have’ to building on what was already working and looking at ‘everything we do have.’  And through five years of thoughtful strategic planning, things took hold. A clear vision. Shared ownership of the work. Real progress. 

Here’s what I’m most proud of: we redefined what economic development means here. It’s not just about job creation, expansions, or population growth - though those things are super important results of the work. But instead, we shifted focus on building trust, empowering people, and creating a shared identity that Lewis County so desperately needed. We worked to create the conditions for growth, not by forcing it, but by listening, building trust, planting seeds, aligning, clarifying and asking the community to lead. When you do that, the growth that happens is magical. People start stepping up not because someone told them to, but because they believe in what’s possible here.  Entrepreneurial ecosystems create opportunities; buildings that sat vacant for years are revitalized; place-based investments grow; events and spaces become filled with proud residents and visitors. That’s how you create a place where people choose to live, work, build business and play; and that’s what Naturally Lewis, and its many partners, have accomplished over the years.

Naturally Lewis isn’t just an organization, it’s a reflection of all of you in this community. Every conversation, every partnership, every thoughtful risk we took together helped us get here. While my chapter with Naturally Lewis is coming to a close, I leave knowing this work is far from over, and that it’s in good hands.

As I step away, I do have one ask for this community: hold Naturally Lewis accountable to what we built. Keep the focus on what works here, not what’s working in Albany, or Syracuse, or Lake Placid. Protect the vision, the values, and the strengths-based approach that led us here. This community deserves economic development that’s focused in place, in people, and in possibility. Don’t let that fade.

I’ll be stepping into a new chapter, starting a consulting business called Focus, where I’ll continue to work with organizations, businesses and communities who want to lead from a strengths-based approach in purpose and possibility. But Lewis County and Naturally Lewis will always be a part of my story. This place, this work, and all of you have shaped me in ways I’ll carry forward in everything I do.

Thank you for the conversations, the trust, the pushback, the partnership - all of it. It’s been an honor serving you. 

With gratitude, 

Brittany