About TIP Strategies

2016: Focus on Implementation

Last year, TIP Strategies passed a milestone: our firm turned 20. During these two decades, TIP has completed more than 300 projects in 38 states and 4 countries. We’ve also had the privilege of seeing the transformations that have taken place as a result of our work. In our 2016 newsletter series, we will be sharing stories about the way our clients—past and current—are implementing our recommendations.

East Central Michigan: In Pursuit of Excellence

A recent example of the implementation of a TIP-led plan comes from the East Michigan Council of Governments (EMCOG). In 2014, TIP Strategies worked with EMCOG to develop a Regional Prosperity Strategy for the eight-county East Central Michigan Prosperity Region (PR-5). One idea that emerged during the process was the creation of a Center of Excellence (CoE) that would leverage the region’s higher education assets and industry strengths.

In 2015, EMCOG re-engaged TIP to explore potential areas of focus for a CoE with the goal of identifying a concept that could serve as a catalyst for job growth and investment while supporting the success of existing companies. The resulting Centers of Excellence Action Strategy, adopted in January 2016, provides an overview of each concept along with a listing of regional assets, best practice examples, and steps for implementation. Read more about this initiative here.

Image credit: "Saginaw Valley State University's new Living Center" by Saginaw Future Inc via Flickr

Lubbock, Texas: Building Innovation

One recent project that has yielded significant positive outcomes is the strategic plan TIP completed for the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA). Since the plan was finalized in March 2015, two of the five priority projects TIP identified have already been partially implemented: 1) attracting catalyst R&D investments into the community in partnership with the Texas Tech University system and city leaders; and 2) establishing a community college campus in an under-served portion of the city. Click here to read more about the early results from these two priority initiatives.

North Louisiana Economic Partnership: Impressive First Year Results

In June 2014, the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) adopted its five-year strategic plan, developed with the assistance of TIP Strategies. The plan was created to serve as a roadmap for the organization under the leadership of NLEP President, Scott Martinez, CEcD.

TIP’s principal and CEO, Tom Stellman, was recently invited to report to the NLEP Board of Directors on plan implementation and outcomes at the organization’s annual meeting. Along with modifying their bylaws and staffing structure to support the plan’s implementation, NLEP staff have been busy expanding their stakeholder outreach and working to better align regional training with employers’ needs, including hosting the region’s first Top Skills Workforce Summit. Read more about NLEP’s efforts to implement the plan on our blog.

Image credit: Downtown Shreveport, LA by Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau via Flickr

Eau Claire, Wisconsin: Top 10 Trends Impacting Downtown Revitalization

In February, TIP senior consultant John Karras was invited to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to speak at the annual awards dinner hosted by Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. John’s presentation featured the latest trends impacting downtown revitalization and included a number of best practice examples of communities who have successfully implemented initiatives to kick-start—or capitalize on—their own downtown growth. As a follow-up to his presentation, John expanded on this theme in a post for his urbanSCALE blog. To see the presentation John’s blog is based on, check out the video of his encore performance the following afternoon.

Image credit: "img_4383" by Michael Hicks via Flickr

Waxahachie, Texas: Implementation Successes

On April 1, Alex Cooke attended a luncheon hosted by the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council to celebrate the community’s successful implementation of its economic development strategic plan. Located just 30 miles south of Dallas on IH-35, Waxahachie is a vibrant, tight-knit community that is rapidly emerging as destination for new investment and talent within the southern Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex. Waxahachie Mayor, Kevin Strength, credits the plan’s successful implementation with almost $500 million in new community investments. To read more about the work accomplished by the leaders, businesses, and citizens of Waxahachie, visit our blog.

Image credit: "Waxahachie court house" by Steve Rainwater via Flickr