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 sustain long-term economic growth.
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, long-term economies.
Balancing Destination Development with Stewardship Read More
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 sustains long-term prosperity.
Outdoor recreation is fueling a new wave of entrepreneurship and place-based economic growth. TIP’s recent work in Colorado and Michigan shows how aligning natural assets with higher education, startup support, and industry innovation can build resilient local economies. Communities that treat outdoor recreation as an economic engine—not just tourism—are better positioned to compete for business, talent, and investment.
Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Place-Based Innovation Read More
The increasingly competitive electric vehicles (EVs) market is reshaping the automotive landscape and presenting new opportunities for economic developers. This post examines key strategies for capitalizing on EV growth, including pursuing federal funding, attracting manufacturing investments, and expanding EV charging infrastructure. By focusing on these areas, communities can position themselves to benefit from the accelerating shift toward electrification.
Leveraging EV Market Momentum to Drive Local Economic Impact Read More
Sustainability is increasingly understood as both an economic and an environmental imperative. In our latest Triptychs post, Rachel Wise looks at three collaborations aimed at raising awareness of sustainability issues such as climate change, creating resilient places and people, and helping leaders make informed decisions about the future.
Triptychs: Meeting Sustainability Needs Through Hubs Read More
Faced with unprecedented environmental challenges, the integration of climate sustainability into economic development planning has increased in urgency for many practitioners. As part of TIP’s work with the City of San Luis Obispo, California, Mishka Parkins gained a first-hand perspective on how this integration can be accomplished and the opportunities a sustainability focus can create.
Sustainability and Economic Development as Mutually Reinforcing Priorities Read More
In the final installment of our series examining the comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS), Elizabeth Scott discusses how the East Michigan Council of Governments used elements of the CEDS planning process to respond to both economic and climate-related upheavals in its 14-county region.
While generative AI may not be a singular historical moment, it is a significant one in the longer arc of technological change. TIP managing partner Jon Roberts considers the implications of generative AI and offers actions that economic developers can take to both mitigate the challenges and leverage the opportunities facing their local economies and workforces.
Projected to generate $3 trillion over the next decade, the global blue economy presents vast economic potential. Sustainable practices are crucial to ensuring the long-term health of the ocean ecosystems, coastal communities, and water-related sectors. This blog post explores three innovative North American regions that successfully balance resilience and economic growth.
Triptychs: Driving Innovation and Sustainability in the Blue Economy Read More
