TIP Strategies: Economic Development, Strategic & Workforce Planning

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Innovate with Intention

Redefining local opportunities through strategic investments and emerging technologies

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Future-Ready Starts with Skills

Prioritizing skills training drives competitiveness
and expands opportunity

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Implementation Requires Planning

Combining a clear vision with action drives meaningful results

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Placemaking Builds Connections

Supporting innovation and creating inclusive
spaces through intentional placemaking

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The TIP Advantage

TIP Strategies has worked for 30 years to develop innovative strategies, programs, and outreach campaigns. Our Theory Into Practice planning model combines rigorous data analysis with the latest thinking in economic development, workforce training, and community-based principles. We pride ourselves on our ability to think creatively, and we customize each engagement, from initial outreach to final implementation.

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Committee

Our Mission

To engage and inspire community leaders to help the people they serve thrive economically, financially, and socially.

600

Engagements

425

Clients

States

Countries

PRACTICE AREAS

STRATEGY

For more than 25 years, TIP has helped our clients gain the insights and tools to support sound decision-making and create healthy, vibrant economies.

TALENT

TIP’s talent practice helps communities build the skilled labor pool essential to economic growth and prosperity, while creating economic opportunity for residents.

RESILIENCE

We have a long history of helping clients build the agile organizations and flexible systems required to handle disruptions and support vulnerable populations.

ADVISORY

Our team’s decades of experience, proven planning model, and suite of analytical tools can be tailored to help our clients address challenges and leverage opportunities.

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Insights

Why Placemaking Matters for Resilience

9.30.2025by Reece Neathery

Resilience depends on more than infrastructure. It requires strong places that connect people and support local enterprise. TIP’s projects in Texas and Florida illustrate how placemaking strategies preserve identity, enhance business recovery, and attract new investment. Communities that weave placemaking into their planning are better prepared to withstand disruption and…

Ziplining-Fall-Stowe-Vermont-Outdoor-Recreation

Balancing Destination Development with Stewardship

9.24.2025by Elizabeth Scott

Outdoor recreation is a cornerstone of community competitiveness, but true destination development requires thoughtful stewardship. Lessons from Park City, Utah; Stowe, Vermont; and West Virginia show that by protecting natural assets, reinvesting in infrastructure, and ensuring residents and visitors enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation growth, communities can build resilient,…

State of Placemaking

9.19.2025by Jeff Marcell

For 30 years, TIP has led the field in thinking holistically about growth, emphasizing how place-based factors like quality of life, housing, and community connection drive economic success. Senior partner Jeff Marcell explores how this approach to placemaking helps communities attract talent, foster innovation, and build the social fabric that…

Geography Of Jobs

Tight labor markets motivate employers. Slack labor markets concern workforce development agencies and policymakers. Regardless of where we are in the business cycle, talent development is always a concern. TIP has a long track record and depth of expertise in successful workforce planning, particularly in the alignment of goals across multiple stakeholders.

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Theory Into Practice Newsletter

TIP strives to provide our subscribers with engaging, inspiring content related to TIP’s work and the topics affecting economic development professionals now and in the future.

Testimonials

“I want to thank you for a job well done. You guys did great and thorough work and I appreciate the patience in working with a large group to build consensus through the end of the report.”

David Cooke, City ManagerCity of Fort Worth, Texas

“This goes way beyond just creating jobs…. This is about bringing leaders and communities together to be more intentional about economic growth and collaboration.”

Peter Zaehringer, Vice President (former)Greater Green Bay Chamber (WI)

“[TIP] worked collaboratively with our CEOs and stakeholders throughout Delaware to ensure that the end product – the Delaware Growth Agenda — was not only data-driven and substantive, but politically sensitive and respectful to the varied interests in our state. The result was a plan that was on time, on budget and on point.”

Bob Perkins, Executive DirectorDelaware Business Roundtable

“We’ve very much enjoyed working with [TIP] throughout this entire process. From the discovery work to site visits to this week’s presentation, you’ve been every bit as good as advertised.”

Brian Ritter, CEcD, President/CEOBismarck-Mandan Development Association

“Jon Roberts and [TIP] worked diligently for our city. Their work was comprehensive and very instrumental for the future of our city. TIP helped us put our plan in writing and set us on a course to achieve our goals.”

M. Kevin Strength, MayorCity of Waxahachie, Texas

“From the outset, TIP delivered on the promise of their proposal and their interview. They helped us understand national trends and how they could impact our efforts… Most importantly, they exhibited a skillful balance of moving us in the right direction without attempting to ‘tell us what was good for us.'”

David N. Sciocchetti, Project Lead, VISTA 2025 ProjectChester County Economic Development Council (PA)

“Not only did [TIP] meet our expectations during the project period, we continue to call upon them as we move through implementation…. Our experience with them has set a standard we hope can be met by other consulting firms.”

John Lawler, Chairman (former)Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership (NY)

“Both the document and the process that you guided us through will serve us well for years to come and provide much needed vitality to our local economy.”

Jim Rives, PresidentMaricopa Economic Development Alliance

“TIP works to stay on the cutting edge of economic development nationally, and we rely on them for their insights and their diligence to get things right.”

Gordy Kacala, Executive Director (former)Racine County Economic Development Corporation

“THANK YOU!!! I have never worked with a consulting firm that was more knowledgeable and professional as the TIP Team. I look forward to keeping you all apprised of the progress we make on EDGE initiatives!!”

Lacey Bordelon, VP & COOJefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (LA)

“Thank you both for the tremendous effort in completing a plan that will help us maximize our Parish’s potential for years to come. The final product fulfills the expectations that we had entering into this process. It has been fun and comprehensive and it has been a joy to work with a team that is intellectually stimulating providing the guidance.”

Jerry Bologna, President & CEOJefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (LA)

“We are very impressed by [TIP]. They have brought a high degree of expertise, experience and creativity to our economic development action plan, and that benefits everyone in our community.”

John Urbahns, President and CEOGreater Fort Wayne Inc.

“TIP Strategies brought a national perspective and a depth of experience to the EDDI Disaster Recovery Initiative that helped bring the plan together.”

Deb Smith, Regional Economic PlannerClearwater Economic Development Association