ILANA PREUSS

Transforming Communities Through Local Economic Innovation

Keynote Speaker | Published Author | Economic Development Expert

As seen in Forbes, Bloomberg, StartupNation, TEDx, and Governing Magazine

Unlocking the Economic Power of Great Places

Ilana Preuss doesn't just inspire—she empowers entire communities to unlock their economic potential. As the founder of Recast City and author of the critically acclaimed "Recast Your City: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing" (Island Press, 2021), Ilana has spent over 25 years proving that the most powerful economic development solutions are often hiding in plain sight.

From her TEDx talk "The Economic Power of Great Places" to her recent keynotes at major national conferences, Ilana delivers high-energy presentations that transform how leaders think about economic resilience, real estate innovation, and community-centered growth.


Signature Keynote Topics

Economic Resilience & Innovation: The Hidden Engine of Community Growth

Perfect for: Entrepreneurship conferences, innovation summits, manufacturing associations

Discover why small-scale manufacturing is the secret weapon for economic resilience. Learn the SPARK Framework (Space, People, Access to Capital, Regulation, Knowledge Networks) that's helping communities from Washington D.C. to Honolulu build thriving local economies. Audiences leave with immediately actionable strategies to identify and nurture their community's hidden economic assets.

Key Takeaways:

  • How small-scale manufacturing creates 50-100% higher-paying jobs than retail

  • The 3.5x wealth multiplier effect of local business ownership

  • Practical steps to implement economic transformation in 3-6 months

Reimagining Real Estate for Economic Development

Perfect for: Real estate conferences, development summits, urban planning associations

Challenge the "highest and best use" orthodoxy that's killing downtowns. Ilana reveals how smart communities are turning vacant storefronts into economic engines by thinking beyond traditional retail. From her recent work with communities nationwide, discover the real estate strategies that build both property value and community wealth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Why the 24 sq ft per person retail oversupply is actually an opportunity

  • How to match small business needs with available real estate assets

  • Case studies of property transformations that doubled economic impact

Building Economic Ecosystems That Work for Main Street

Perfect for: Economic development conferences, Main Street programs, chamber organizations

Move beyond recruitment strategies that benefit only the few. Ilana's approach to economic development and creating great places prioritizes more people from day one, creating opportunities for more entrepreneurs while building stronger, more resilient local economies. Recent successes include programs bringing small-scale manufacturing businesses into downtown storefronts one year from their kickoff.

Key Takeaways:

  • The diversity imperative: Why inclusive business ownership strengthens entire economies

  • How to identify and engage overlooked business types in your community

  • Proven frameworks to fill vacant storefronts and build stronger economies

The Future of Local Manufacturing: From Micro-Retail to Economic Powerhouses

Perfect for: Innovation conferences, manufacturing summits, technology associations

Small-scale manufacturing is about everything from artisans to advanced manufacturing. And creating great places with these businesses is about talent retention and recruitment. Technology integration, the future of work, and each city’s competitive advantage sits in the balance. Ilana bridges the gap between traditional manufacturing and the maker economy, showing how communities can build a strong local economy through local production capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • How technology is democratizing manufacturing and creating new opportunities

  • The competitive advantage of local production in a global economy

  • Building the infrastructure for 21st-century manufacturing ecosystems


Proven Track Record & Expertise

National Impact: Over 25 years of community development experience spanning Washington D.C. to Honolulu, with projects that have transformed downtowns, created thousands of jobs, and generated millions in local economic impact.

Published Authority: Author of "Recast Your City" (Island Press, 2021) and co-author of influential reports including "Made in PLACE: Small-scale Manufacturing and Placemaking" (Smart Growth America/U.S. EDA) and "Discovering Your City's Maker Economy" (National League of Cities/Etsy).

Federal Leadership: Currently leads a national program through U.S. Economic Development Administration funding to improve revolving loan programs to reach more small businesses in distressed communities. Former Vice President & Chief of Staff at Smart Growth America and program leader at U.S. EPA Smart Growth Division.

Recast Leaders Program: Premier economic development initiative that has guided dozens of communities through systematic economic transformation, with participants seeing measurable results within 6-12 months.


Select Past Engagements

Maryland APA/Planning Commissioners Association Joint Conference - From Small Town to Big City: Why Storefronts are the Maryland Answer Keynote

Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce 127th Annual Banquet - Revisiting Our Why: Recasting Local Economies Keynote

Main Street Now Annual Conference - 30% of all Main Street Businesses are Makers & Small Manufacturers – Now What?

Springfield Chamber of Commerce Annual Small Business Event - Making Downtown Shine with Small-Scale Manufacturing Keynote

Illinois Main Street Conference - The Civic Infrastructure of Action and Getting Stuff Done Keynote

Michigan Municipal League - Why Storefronts Are Your Best Economic Development Strategy

AARP - Great Places, Older Entrepreneurs, and Small-Scale Manufacturing

Florida Planning Association - Growing Economies in Smaller Cities Keynote

National Brownfields Conference/International Economic Development Council  - 5 Steps for Increased Economic Mobility Through Downtowns, Storefronts, and Local Businesses

International Downtown Association - Equity, Inclusion, & Storefronts: What it Really Means to Act Post-Pandemic

National League of Cities City Solutions Conference - How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing: Building Resilient & Equitable Local Economies – Right Now

International City/County Managers Association - How to Ensure Today’s Challenges Lead to Vibrant Downtown Economies

TEDxGWU - "The Economic Power of Great Places"


What Conference Organizers Say

"Our conference participants loved your in-depth workshop. The feedback we received from them was great - "Thank you - this was just what I was looking for - you left me wanting to act on this right away." "Ilana is an articulate, down to earth, practical, enthusiastic, encouraging and knowledgeable speaker." "Very enthusiastic. Great examples." "High energy/good content - engaged the audience to your conversation."“

Amy Jordan, Director of Education, Michigan Chapter, American Planning Association

”Ilana Preuss is an engaging, energetic speaker/educator/inspiration who was the keynote speaker for a workshop on small-scale manufacturing in Greensboro, NC. The best part of Ilana's talk is her passion. People see what is possible. I would recommend Ilana to speak at other events because her enthusiasm is infectious. Great speaker, great results.”

Sue Schwartz, Director of Planning, Greensboro, NC

“With her background in planning, smart growth, and economic development, Ilana is the ideal messenger to share the transformative potential of small scale manufacturing in communities large and small. Her message was inspiring, informative, and provided a foundation for our members to return home and explore new possibilities in their hometowns.”

Brett Schwartz, Associate Director, National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation


Media Recognition

As Featured In: Forbes, Bloomberg, Next City, Governing Magazine, StartupNation,, TEDx, and numerous industry publications.

Recent Media Highlights:

  • Forbes: Featured expert on community development and small-scale manufacturing

  • Governing Magazine: Regular contributor on economic development strategies

  • StartupNation: Commentary on supporting local entrepreneurship ecosystems


Ready to Energize Your Conference?

Ilana delivers keynotes that combine inspiring storytelling with immediately actionable frameworks. Your attendees won't just leave motivated—they'll leave with specific strategies they can implement the moment they return to their communities.

Speaking Formats Available:

  • Opening or closing keynotes (45-60 minutes)

  • Breakout sessions with audience interaction

  • Panel discussions and fireside chats

  • Half-day intensive workshops

  • Multi-day conference facilitation

Professional Speaking Assets:

  • High-resolution professional photography

  • Speaker video reel available upon request

  • Detailed session descriptions with learning outcomes

  • Custom presentations tailored to your conference theme

  • Books available for attendee purchases with signing opportunities

Book Ilana for Your Next Conference

Contact: ilana@recastcity.com | 240-472-2765
Website: RecastCity.com
Social: @ilanapreuss (LinkedIn, Instagram)

Ready to discuss how Ilana can energize your audience and deliver transformational value to your conference? Let's start the conversation.