The process of placemaking is a means to bridge gaps across racial and socioeconomic lines, expand access to economic opportunity, and foster social inclusion within communities. These outcomes, however, require intentional efforts and a commitment to tackle unintentional practices that lead to division, creating unequal access to amenities, public spaces, and prosperity.
In October 2023, Tom Stellman and Alexis Angelo were part of a panel on the intersection of economic development and philanthropy at Philanthropy Southwest’s 75th Annual Conference, held in the Lost Pines region outside of Austin. In her latest post, Alexis summarizes the panel, which featured our work for the City of Muskogee Foundation, and shares her takeaways from the event.
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.
As the lead on Central Indiana’s comprehensive economic development strategy, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization started laying the groundwork early. By having one-on-one conversations with a broad cross-section of leaders, organizations, and elected officials, even before the planning process began, the IMPO was able to build consensus and weave the region’s core values throughout the plan.
In June, Tom Stellman and Katrina Parkey attended JFF’s Horizons in New Orleans. In Katrina’s latest post, she shares some insights gained from her time at JFF’s annual summit.
The preparation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) is crucial for enhancing regional competitiveness. The third installment in TIP’s CEDS series focuses on integrating equity into the planning process to ensure a high-quality, compliant strategic plan that expands access to economic opportunities.
How Can a Community Make Equity the Foundation of a CEDS? Read More
In early June, Jenn Todd-Goynes attended CNU31 in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a member of the Congress for New Urbanism, Jenn is passionate about the role of the built environment and about creating people-centered places. In her recent blog post, she discusses two themes from the conference that have broad implications for community and economic developers.
Command-and-control leadership no longer works. In a rapidly changing world, economic development organizations face numerous obstacles to sustainable growth. TIP president Tracye McDaniel shares her insights about connected leadership—what it is and how it can be effectively harnessed by economic developers. Rooted in inclusivity, connected leadership can better position organizations and communities for resilience today and tomorrow.
Harnessing the Power of Connected Leadership for Inclusive Economic Development Read More
Communities rarely embark on sustainability planning efforts under the auspices of economic development initiatives, which is a missed opportunity to impact a community’s industries, environment, and economic resilience. In a recent ED Now article, Jenn Todd-Goynes outlines critical questions to guide the process for an economic sustainability plan. The article is reposted here courtesy of the International Economic Development Council.
TIP’s ongoing work with the International Economic Development Council as part of its Equitable Economic Development Playbook Initiative highlights the pivotal role economic developers can play in addressing economic inequality. Mishka Parkins’s post describes the Equity Action Plans created by the five organizations that participated in the initiative’s 2022 cohort.
