Paula Wallrich is the Community Development Director for the Village of Homewood. She has over 30 years of urban planning, economic development and public administration experience in the private and public sector arenas. Paula has worked in suburban communities with plenty of ‘green’ sites as well as in mature communities with urban landscapes and vibrant downtown business districts. She received a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois in Landscape Architecture and possesses a strong interest in urban and architectural design. Her private sector worked involved planning consultation for public and private sector clients where she specialized in site planning and recreational planning as well as assisting in the development of successful economic development programs. Her work in four municipalities focused on urban planning and economic development with a specialization in downtown business districts. Paula has been involved in the creation of several tax increment financing districts and enterprise zones, and has worked with the Main Street program in developing various downtown incentive programs. Her career has balanced her role as urban planner and economic development professional with the understanding that quality preempts quantity every time. Her planning background has helped her navigate some of the more common pitfalls resulting from aggressive recruitment of businesses that are just not the right ‘fit’ for the community. She has been working in the Village of Homewood for the last 2 years enjoying the benefits of a stable mature community with a strong business environment created through the leadership of Mayor Rich Hofeld. Homewood is progressive in its marketing and creative in the development of incentive programs that help to recruit and retain quality businesses. Paula is a member of the American Planning Association, the American Institute of Certified Planners, International City/County City Manager Association, and the International Council of Shopping Centers.