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Education & training alignment

Aerial view of a large AI data center complex under construction,

Data Centers: Contentious Infrastructure of the Future

by Evan Johnston

Data center build-out remains a major topic for economic developers in communities of all sizes. At the same time, public opposition to these massive investments also continues to grow and has increasingly codified into moratoriums and outright bans. Local leaders should reframe their perspective on data centers as catalysts with the potential to drive innovation, if structured to center community benefits.

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a group of people waiting for a job interview. and interview is taking place in a glass walled office in the background.

State of Workforce

by Tom Stellman

TIP has spent 30 years at the intersection of economic and workforce development. Our early adoption of a holistic approach that acknowledged the important role of talent in economic vitality anticipated a shift in the profession. TIP CEO and founder Tom Stellman looks back at company milestones in this practice area and considers future trends.

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A Female mentor training a young female intern at office workplace

Quality and Access: The Blueprint for Effective Internships

by Jess Myers

Internships offer students a way to explore potential career paths, develop early professional skills, and contribute to real-world projects. To be most effective for students and employers, two key components must be in place: access and quality. In this blog post, our 2024 summer intern, Jess Myers, examines both concepts and reflects on her experience at TIP.

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Scientist in a lab working with test tubes. A tube with red liquid is being lifted out of the test tube holder.

Building an Innovation Economy: Lessons from Texas and Mississippi

by John Karras

Higher education plays an essential role in strong innovation economies. TIP’s Talent, Innovation, and Place framework encompasses the idea that aligning universities with economic development efforts is central to community success. Recent plans for Texas and Mississippi illustrate how states and regions can build an innovation economy through academic and industry partnerships.

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Female Engineer

Supporting Shorter, More Affordable Pathways to Quality Jobs

by Luke Shuffield

Students often feel pressured to pursue four-year degrees despite skyrocketing education costs. However, the value of affordable, shorter educational pathways, such as associate’s degrees and technical certificates, is increasingly evident. Institutions like Texas State Technical College and San Jacinto College demonstrate the benefits of skill-specific training, supported by philanthropic and industry investments, offering promising alternatives to traditional college routes.

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An engineer prints a prototype model on a 3d printer in a laboratory

Field Notes: Fostering Innovation at Texas Universities

by TIP Staff

Earlier this year, the Texas Higher Education Foundation engaged TIP and Research Bridge Partners to bring a cross-section of stakeholders together and create a statewide plan focused on technology transfer, commercialization, and innovation. We invited the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement, Jaclyn Le, to talk about the strategic planning process underway.

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Title Town innovation in Green Bay, WI

Building a Vibrant Innovation Ecosystem in Greater Green Bay

by John Karras

Greater Green Bay’s innovation ecosystem has undergone a remarkable transformation since 2015. TIP’s multiple strategic planning projects in the region have allowed the team to witness this phenomenon firsthand. In this piece, VP of business development, John Karras, shares his thoughts on the characteristics that support the region’s dynamic startup and entrepreneurial environment.

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Electrician apprenticeship at a college with a female instructor

Triptychs: Registered Apprenticeships Help Prepare Texas’s Next Generation of Workers

by TIP Staff

Texas has more than 650 registered apprenticeship programs in a wide range of industries including construction, manufacturing, health care, information technology, energy, transportation, and education. As part of our Triptychs series, we feature three registered apprenticeship programs in the state that have had success preparing the next generation of workers.

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Field Notes: Investing in Disconnected Young People

by TIP Staff

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.

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