Who is Chuck D'Aprix?

The Most Original Thinker in Economic Development and Downtown Revitalization Today

Creative, innovative, maverick, bold, unconventional, original, entrepreneurial, informed, cutting-edge, inventive, nonconformist, free-thinking, edgy and colorful are just a few of the words to describe Chuck D’Aprix during his 20-plus years in economic development, urban revival and downtown revitalization. One word that has rarely been used: boring.

Chuck D’Aprix has a wide-ranging and extensive background in economic development, neighborhood renewal and downtown revitalization. He has run economic development agencies, started economic development agencies, been a Main Street™ Manager, consultant, speaker, entrepreneur, trainer and advocate for urban change. He has worked in large cities and small towns and he has always urged local residents to take charge of their economic development future.

Read Chuck's Complete Bio Here

There are some things about Chuck D' Aprix that just set him apart...

HE SEES EACH CITY, TOWN AND NEIGHBORHOOD AS UNIQUE AND TREATS THEM THAT WAY

One thing Chuck D’Aprix has learned is that too many consultants and other assorted urban and economic development experts tend to try the same approach in each community.

He finds that behavior infuriating. While he stays abreast of new trends, research and approaches in economic revitalization, he feels that each place must me honored for its uniqueness. He is able to call on his extensive experience, couple it with the latest information available, and then use what is applicable in a given location. He has resisted the “one size fits all” approach to economic revitalization from the first day he began his career and he continues to embrace that philosophy today.

HE IS CREATIVE AS HELL AND ALWAYS SEEKS THE MOST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION—NOT THE EASIEST

When Chuck D’Aprix is in your town you will often see him walking not just the main streets, but also the neighborhood streets, the commercial districts or the “forgotten” part of town. You will find him in casual conversations with folks from all walks of life. He believes that in finding the essence of the city—you will find the solutions. Often those solutions come from those who know the city or town best—the local residents. He listens to local gossip, reads up on local history and pays great attention to local inhabitants. He then will offer economic revitalization solutions that are creative, unique and often, ground breaking. When you bring Chuck D’Aprix to your community—you get his complete attention—and his interesting and compelling approaches to stubborn problems.

HE KNOWS THAT ANSWERS LIE LOCALLY—NOT WITH AN
OUT-OF-TOWN CONSULTANT

Chuck D’Aprix has turned down jobs with large economic development consulting firms because, as we have noted, he rejects the “one-size-fits-all” corporate approach. He refuses to have his individualism and candor reined in by anyone—period. Big firms often will use a template approach whether it’s a market analysis or a series of recommendations. Chuck understands that the answers to local economic development, downtown or neighborhood revitalization lie locally. Sure he has years of experience, and stays abreast of the latest trends—but he uses that as the foundation to help folks find the solution locally—to help guide them to the solutions. With little overhead and an enduring respect for cities and towns, Chuck is able to offer what the big firms can’t—attention and an individual approach. You won’t get the same spiel in your community that was given the day before in another. You will find creative solutions right in your own backyard with the hard work and creativity of Chuck D’Aprix. Your community will be honored for it special character and its unique personality.

HE HAS BEEN ON THE CLIENT’S SIDE OF THE FENCE—AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS PRETTY

As we have noted, Chuck has an extensive background in economic development, neighborhood renewal and downtown revitalization. Much of that experience has been as the chief staff person---many times the first staff person—for an economic revitalization agency. That means he has hired his share of consultants. He grew tired and then angry with: off-the-shelf reports, impractical recommendations, high-priced tabs, a report that looked like every other report and ultimately consultants who revealed that they didn’t understand the unique character and unique problems of his community. He vowed never, never to operate that way—and he doesn’t. He hits the streets, uses his years of knowledge and honors what makes one place different from the next. Ask your next consultant if they do the same.