About TIP Strategies

Jeff Marcell to Present at IEDC Economic Future Forum

Jeff Marcell, senior partner and head of TIP?s Seattle office, is participating in a number of events at this month?s IEDC Economic Future Forum. On June 4th, Jeff will kick off the Economic Development Strategic Planning pre-forum training course. He will be instructing the Introduction to Planning; Organizing for ED Strategic Planning; Consensus Building/Stakeholder Ownership; and Vision, Mission, Goals and Strategies segments of the class. On Monday, June 8th, Jeff will be one of three participants in the Better Together: Strength in "Coopetition" panel. This panel will address both the methods for and the benefits of increasing communities? cooperation with industry cluster competitors?termed "coopetition"?both nationally and internationally. Jeff?s contribution will draw on his experiences as president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County. If you are in attendance, please stop by. We hope to see you there!

TIP Hired for DRA Regional Development Plan III (RDP III)

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has engaged TIP Strategies to assist with the preparation of the Delta Regional Development Plan III (RDP III) for the federally designated Delta Region, which includes 252 counties/parishes covering portions of 8 states in the Mississippi River Delta region. The DRA will use the RDP III to guide its investments and efforts to strengthen the region's economy over the next five years. The planning process will build on the prior strategy (RDP II), which TIP also helped to prepare in 2008. RDP II led to the creation of the DRA's guiding principles, which will remain in place as the foundational framework for the new plan:

Goal 1: Advance the productivity and economic competitiveness of the Delta workforce

Goal 2: Strengthen the Delta?s physical and digital connections to the global economy

Goal 3: Facilitate capacity building within Delta communities

(Image by Rob Shenk via Flickr)

TIP Engaged by Abilene, TX for Five-Year Strategic Plan

TIP Strategies was recently engaged by the Development Corporation of Abilene (TX) to assist with a five-year strategic blueprint to guide the community's economic development efforts. Abilene, a regional hub located on IH20 just two hours from the DFW Metroplex, is home to Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene Christian University, Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Pharmacy, Abilene Regional Medical Center, and a diverse set of private sector employers. The purpose of the planning effort is to align resources to better capitalize on the community's unique assets. Read more at the Abilene Reporter News.

(Image by Nicolas Henderson via Flickr)

TIP Completes Study for the SRS Community Reuse Area

TIP recently completed a Regional Workforce Study for the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO), the organization representing the area surrounding Aiken, SC, and Augusta, GA. In May, TIP president and CEO, Tom Stellman, presented our final report and recommendations to leaders from the five-county region. Our findings indicated that the greatest challenge will be the estimated 37,000 job openings employers will need to fill over the next five years. To overcome this hurdle, SRSCRO will need to create a more demand-driven workforce system that supports talent recruitment and retention. Our recommendations placed an emphasis on regional cooperation to ensure the workforce needs of employers are met. Thank you to the Aiken Standard for their coverage of our rollout presentation.

(Image by Derrek Asberry via Aiken Standard)

Jon Roberts to Give Keynote Address at WEDA/OEDA Summer Conference

Jon Roberts, TIP principal and managing director, will be the keynote speaker at the 2015 Summer Conference being jointly held by the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA) and the Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA). The WEDA/OEDA Summer Conference is dedicated to best practices, new initiatives, case studies, networking, etc. The goal is to provide practitioners, those interested in learning more about economic development, and policy makers with tools to sharpen their effectiveness.

This year's conference will be held July 13-15 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Discussions will focus on the theme of Innovation & Entrepreneurialism. Jon?s keynote session on July 14 will address topics including disruptive technologies, innovation, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Registration for the conference is opening soon. For additional details, please visit WEDA?s website.

WIOA Offers Opportunities for Both Workforce and Economic Developers

The release of the International Economic Development Council report, Shifting Workforce Development into High Gear, signals significant changes ahead for workforce development activities. The ?shift? the report refers to will be seen in full when the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) takes effect in July 2015. TIP?s Jeff Marcell recently attended the National Association of Workforce Boards? annual meeting, where WIOA was the primary focus. In an article for our Theory Into Practice Blog, Jeff shares his experience and his thoughts concerning the new law. Jeff?s collaborative work with the Workforce Development Council (WDC) of Seattle and King County, during his tenure at the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County, was featured as a case study in the IEDC report, along with several other best practice examples.

(Image by Daniel Ramirez via Flickr)

Texas Tomorrow: Where Will We be in 2065?

Jon Roberts was recently invited to write an article for Texas CEO Magazine. Jon?s submission, published in the May issue, explains his predictions for the future of Texas. Taking lessons from our past, Jon expresses confidence that, with a continued commitment to growth in the tech sector, Texas will remain competitive. To find out why, read the full article at texasceomagazine.com.

(Image by Kimberly Vardeman via Flickr)

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