About TIP Strategies

Little Rock, AR: Manufacturing Matters

TIP president and CEO, Tom Stellman, will be a keynote speaker at IEDC's 2017 Economic Future Forum on June 4 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tom’s presentation will focus on manufacturing—specifically, why it still matters, what changes are on the horizon, and what this will mean for the manufacturing workforce. If you will be at this year’s Forum, we hope you will plan to attend!

Passing the CEcD Exam: Five Ps in Five Minutes

Planning to pursue your Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation? Excited about a new challenge, yet daunted by the time commitment, financial investment, and pass rate statistics? TIP consultant, Ashton Allison, CEcD, stood in your shoes three years ago and understands the range of emotions firsthand. This year, Ashton will complete his first recertification cycle. In anticipation, he has compiled a list of tips to help other candidates prepare for and navigate the process. Visit our blog to read Ashton’s “Five Ps in Five Minutes.”

Have additional questions? Ashton is attending the IEDC Economic Future Forum in Little Rock, June 4-6. Please say hello and let him know how he can help.

Fargo, ND: Accelerating Growth

The May 19, 2017, issue of Industry Week magazine includes an article highlighting Fargo’s unique approach to economic development and workforce. Through innovative local initiatives, such as the Emerging Prairie, Fargo has pivoted from traditional recruitment to focus on entrepreneurship and place-based initiatives. TIP client Jim Gartin, president of the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (GFMEDC), was featured in the article talking about the community’s practice of supporting existing employers and creating an environment that is attractive to talent. We encourage you to check it out!

Image courtesy Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation

Austin, TX: Strengthening Economic Opportunities for the Region’s Disadvantaged Residents

Our team continues to expand our portfolio of talent-driven engagements. TIP is currently wrapping up our work on a community wide plan for Workforce Solutions Capital Area (the workforce board serving the Austin metropolitan area). The Master Community Workforce Plan takes a collective impact approach to the problem of improving access to economic opportunities for the city’s disadvantaged residents. The primary focus of the planning process was connecting residents living at or below 200 percent of the poverty rate with the region’s projected need for middle skills jobs (those requiring more than a high school diploma, but less than a bachelor’s degree).

By establishing a common agenda, the plan creates a framework for collaboration among the region’s workforce development organizations and educational institutions. This collaborative approach will be formalized in the coming months through the creation of the Metro Austin Talent and Opportunity Network. Workforce Solutions Capital Area will act as the backbone organization for the network. The plan’s objective is connecting 10,000 low-income residents with middle skills jobs by 2021. Achieving this objective, however, will require significant changes to the regional workforce system with the support of a wide range of players. Building this foundation will position the region for a scaled-up initiative once this first objective is met.

Additional background about the planning process can be found in this special section of the Austin-American Statesman written by Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt.

Delaware: Rethinking Economic Development

On May 17, 2017, Governor John Carney announced his plan to reorganize the state’s economic development structure by establishing a new public-private partnership (P3). If approved by the Delaware General Assembly, the new “Delaware Prosperity Partnership” will lead a reinvigorated effort to attract high-quality investment and employment. The Partnership will also focus on high-growth entrepreneurship. The suggestion to establish a new statewide P3 was first proposed in the Delaware Growth Agenda, a report on the state’s competitive position prepared by TIP Strategies on behalf of the Delaware Business Roundtable in 2016.

Governor Carney fully embraced the initiative to engage the private sector as a copartner in the state’s economic development efforts. He formed the Economic Development Working Group to explore the creation of a new P3. TIP was hired by the Working Group to help craft a report to the governor, which was completed in April. The report, Rethinking Economic Development in Delaware, endorses the proposal and provides policy recommendations for establishing a P3. The recommendations include guiding principles, structure, governance, funding, functions, and leadership. Acting on the working group’s recommendations, Governor Carney has offered a bold plan to reform how Delaware does business.

State of Washington: Strengthening the Defense Industry

Since 2006, TIP has been working in communities, regions, and states that are home to military installations and defense contractors. Our engagements have included strategic analyses and planning focused on economic diversification, talent retention, target industries, and defense industry adjustment. Our current defense industry adjustment project, which builds on the success of three previous OEA-funded pilot projects in Washington State, provides technical assistance to a select group of defense contractors through a partnership with management consulting firm Kepner-Tregoe. For more information about this work and a map of TIP’s defense industry projects across the US, visit our blog.

Tom Stellman and Alex Cooke will be attending the Association of Defense Communities National Summit, June 19-21, in Washington, DC, to hear from national leaders how evolving federal defense policies are likely to affect local communities and regions. Please connect with Tom or Alex if you are planning to attend.