Kennedy Smith
About Kennedy Smith
Kennedy Smith is a Senior Researcher and Principal at Community Land Use and Economics Group, LLC, with a background in architecture and urbanism. She has significantly contributed to commercial district revitalization and independent business development, and has been recognized as one of the '100 Most Influential Urbanists of All Time' by Planetizen.
Work at Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Kennedy Smith has served as a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance since 2020. In this role, she focuses on analyzing the factors that threaten independent businesses. Her work involves developing policy tools that communities can utilize to address economic challenges and foster thriving, equitable local economies.
Education and Expertise
Kennedy Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia School of Architecture, where she studied from 1975 to 1979. She also studied at Bryn Mawr College and Harvard University, completing her studies at Harvard in 2006. Smith is recognized as one of the foremost experts on commercial district revitalization and independent business development.
Background
Kennedy Smith has a diverse professional background. She worked as the Director of the National Main Street Center from 1985 to 2004, where she oversaw the program's expansion to a network of 2,000 towns and cities. This initiative generated over $18 billion in new investment and contributed to the creation of 226,000 net new jobs and 56,000 new businesses.
Achievements
In 2017, Kennedy Smith was recognized by Planetizen as one of the '100 Most Influential Urbanists of All Time.' She was also included in Fast Company's inaugural list of 'Fast 50 Champions of Innovation.' Additionally, she teaches a graduate-level course in historic preservation economics at Goucher College, further contributing to her field.
Media Contributions
Kennedy Smith's work has been featured in various prominent media outlets, including the New York Times, Business Week, Forbes, Governing, NPR, CBS Sunday Morning, and Public Radio International’s Marketplace. She has also authored articles discussing significant issues, such as a Louisiana court decision impacting dollar store development.