Freeport – Freeport is one of four cities to have been selected to participate in the 2026 national cohort to advance downtown revitalization and economic resilience. The program, Recast Leaders, is an initiative of Recast City that has successfully energized downtown revitalization and economic resilience in more than 200 cities in 44 states over 11 years. The other three cities in the 2026 national cohort – all in the Midwest – are: Batavia, IL; Marshalltown, IA, and Westland, MI.
The initiative is led by Ilana Preuss, Founder and CEO of Recast City and a renowned authority with 25 years of related experience, who provides the expert coaching at the program’s core. Freeport’s initiative is being led by the Greater Freeport Partnership in collaboration with the City of Freeport’s community development department.
The combination of officials is especially powerful in this context, as the Recast Leaders’ method focuses on local leaders who have authority to influence policy, programming, and development decisions and a readiness to implement changes within 6-12 months, alongside direct engagement of local businesses, property owners, and small business supporters. The program takes place over a ten-month period beginning February 18. The four communities were selected through an open and competitive process, announced publicly in September 2025, that solicited expressions of interest and subsequent applications from municipalities throughout the nation.
“We are thrilled to be working with Recast Leaders on an exciting program for downtown Freeport. Our commitment to economic vitality and businesses support in the heart of Freeport, its downtown, is crucial to all our efforts for growth. With support from the City of Freeport and the Recast Leaders team, we are destined for great outcomes,” said Katie Gentz, Main Street manager with the Partnership.
This initiative advances downtown revitalization and economic resilience through small-scale manufacturers. Small-scale manufacturing businesses emerge from the talents and heritage of any community. They add vitality to communities of all sizes, as they often combine production facilities with a retail store and space for programming. They create good-paying jobs, spur innovations, and train skilled workers. They can play an even greater role in the civic life of communities – becoming destinations for local residents and visitors, bringing much-needed economic vitality to neighborhoods and business districts eager for it.
“I’m excited to have this opportunity to collaborate with these four communities,” said Ilana Preuss. “I’m especially intrigued by the fact that they are all located in the Midwest this year, and they all include leaders from one of three entities: Main Street organizations, chambers of commerce, and city economic development offices. That provides commonalities that will be especially compelling, as we work to build lasting change in these communities by energizing their downtowns, growing the local business community, and showcasing the exciting impact of product businesses to create a place people are proud of. This work is even more urgent today in the face of tight fiscal budgets. The need to grow local tax revenues through local investments is at the heart of this work.”
Most communities know what needs to happen: fill vacant storefronts; support local entrepreneurs; create the kind of place where businesses thrive and people want to spend time. The challenge is to move from vision to implementation quickly and effectively.
Recast Leaders provides applied methods that build momentum, create visible wins, and establish the foundation for long-term growth. It offers a proven roadmap, expert coaching, and peer support to transform a downtown or nearby commercial area into a thriving economic destination in just 10 months building on this potential of small-scale manufacturing.
Through the program, participating leaders discover hidden assets, build powerful coalitions, remove key barriers, and create their own action plans to implement with confidence. Within 6-12 months, graduates of Recast Leaders consistently fill vacant storefronts with thriving product businesses, launch business support programs that help entrepreneurs scale, secure property investments and redevelopment projects, build stronger networks connecting business owners and community leaders, and implement policy changes that remove barriers to business growth.
The Greater Freeport Partnership is a catalyst for dynamic economic growth fostering an inclusive environment where businesses thrive and our community prospers. We are dedicated to nurturing new opportunities while enriching the fabric of Freeport and Stephenson County.
or more information:
Nicole Haas Greater Freeport Partnership
815-801-3676
nhaas@greaterfreeport.com
