The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for a closed session on April 10 in which board members approved the hiring of Carrie Sutterfield for the role of Economic Development Director. Sutterfield shared in an interview with The Salem News that this is her return to Salem after approximately 10 years. Her experience includes working in economic development at her previous residence in Kansas.
Sutterfield expressed joy on her return to the community. She and her husband were both born and raised in Salem for 38 years. Her family was relocated with her husband’s company, working with wind turbines. After a recent promotion where her husband can work remotely, and most of their children have flown the coop, they knew they wanted to return home to Salem. Their youngest son is eager to start sixth grade as a Salem Tiger at the same school his mother and father attended.
The City of Salem has undergone 10 years of development since Sutterfield has last been here, including the ongoing Downtown Project.
“There’s several more business, there’s some more housing,” described Sutterfield. “The city has done an incredible job at stabilizing infrastructure and building it up where it was needed.”
Her first priority after starting her role is to a get a lay of the land, including figuring out the current landscape and building relationships. Another priority is to continue building and pulling things together for the in-place economic strategy, which will make Salem a great place to live and a hub of activities, said Sutterfield.
Sutterfield is positive coming into her role, sharing her excitement at the current City of Salem administration including the mayor, board of aldermen, city staff, and field staff who come in each day ready to do their jobs.
“I think it makes a team that works together and strives for the same vision,” said Sutterfield. “Which is just simply enhancing the viability, the sustainability, and the culture of our town.”
As for identified goals going into her role, Sutterfield hopes to tackle the housing shortage facing the community and continue strengthening the current infrastructure.
“I have a dedication to collaboration and working with and listening to everybody,” shared Sutterfield. “I’m excited about businesses not only coming in, but expansion and continuing to thrive and make Salem their place to live, raise their children, and send their babies to school. I think we have a great network.”
