In late March, Tom Stellman and Katrina Parkey attended the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) 2023 Forum in Washington, DC. In Katrina’s latest post, she shares some insights gained from her time at NAWB and from her recent talent-focused consulting engagements.
The preparation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) requires a community to define its collective vision for future growth and prosperity. The second installment in TIP’s CEDS series highlights the successful and inclusive outreach strategy conducted by Greater Spokane Inc. that drove the vision for their CEDS, THRIVE Spokane.
Faced with tight labor markets and ongoing skills-based shortages, talent attraction efforts benefit from creative approaches. Examples include tailoring talent recruitment initiatives to a specific audience or market; offering prospective residents meaningful information, services, and opportunities; and leveraging community expertise.
Triptychs: Attracting Talent in a Tight Labor Market Read More
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of childcare in improving access to quality jobs and promoting economic mobility. Targeting incentives to address childcare shortages, upskilling existing early childhood educators, and helping providers expand their offerings are three strategies for expanding the supply of quality childcare.
Last month, John Karras attended the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2023 Leadership Summit in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to spending time with former clients, new clients, and colleagues from across North America, he took away some observations which he shares in his latest post.
The sharp downturn in economic activity precipitated by the global COVID-19 pandemic brought the need for recovery and resiliency planning into sharp relief for communities, regions, and states in 2020. The leaders of Idaho’s five economic development districts saw the need for immediate action and formed an innovative, strategic partnership to position their communities for a quicker recovery and long-term resiliency.
Field Notes: Coordinating Economic Disaster Recovery in Idaho Read More
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only one in four young adults in Dallas earned a living wage. Unfortunately, the pandemic only exacerbated the situation, particularly for minority communities. In response, local leaders came together to launch Dallas Thrives, a community vision focused on doubling living-wage attainment in a single generation.
Field Notes: ‘Dallas Thrives’ Initiative Advocates for Greater Living-Wage Attainment Read More
As the global pandemic continues to affect communities around the world, recent access to the COVID-19 vaccine has provided a much-needed glimmer of hope for a return to normalcy. While the vaccine rollout overall has had its ups and downs, some communities have had great success administering doses to residents. One such community is Larimer County, Colorado.
Disconnected young people, often referred to as opportunity youth, are the future of our economies and our workforce. We spoke to Anna Crockett, Community Development Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, to better understand the challenges facing opportunity youth, their importance to our communities, and potential investment strategies for community leaders.
Field Notes: Investing in Disconnected Young People Read More
We are experiencing simultaneous crises in health, the economy, politics, climate change, and social justice—a combination few of us have experienced in our lifetimes. For some in our communities, survival is a daily challenge. And for others, recovery will be a long and difficult road. But it’s important for those of us in leadership positions to pause and think beyond recovery.
