Keynote Speaker: Ilana Preuss
Channel: APA National Capital Area Chapter
Date: 2021-11-17

Ilana Preuss is the Founder of Recast City LLC, a consulting firm that works with city leaders, real estate developers, and other civic leaders to integrate space for small-scale producers into redevelopment projects and place-based economic development. She is passionate about making great places and sees that small-scale manufacturers are a missing piece in today's mixed-use development and commercial property repositioning. With over 20 years of experience in city development, Preuss works with real estate developers, economic development corporations, and other local leaders to go from idea to plan to action to build great places with vibrant economies. She supports businesses and organizations to develop strategies with measurable and achievable outcomes.

Preuss' passion for great places grew out of her experience working with big and small cities all over the country when she led the technical assistance program at the U.S. EPA Smart Growth Program, and as the Vice President and Chief of Staff at Smart Growth America. Now through her work at Recast City, Preuss works with business leaders to understand the local small-scale manufacturing sector, discover the potential to enhance real estate development, and tap state and federal resources for support. She works with real estate developers to integrate small-scale manufacturing businesses into new and rehab products to increase a project's value and draw people to the target neighborhood. She works with economic development authorities to identify key assets in the local community and build goals and tactics to create vibrant and sustainable economic growth. Preuss' book, Recast Your City, was released by Island Press in 2021.