Across 30 years of engagements, TIP has learned that strategy only matters when it drives visible movement. President Tracye McDaniel examines how communities translate plans into visible progress through strong governance, real-time measurement, and adaptive tools. Her insights underscore why implementation now distinguishes regions that merely prepare for the future from those actively building it.
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.
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.
Building an Innovation Economy: Lessons from Texas and Mississippi Read More
In February 2020, TIP was engaged by Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., to create Allen County Together (ACT), a 10-year economic development strategic plan for Fort Wayne-Allen County, Indiana. We recently followed up with Ellen Cutter, the organization’s Chief Economic Development Officer, to check on progress to date on ACT and learn more about the region’s innovation initiatives.
Field Notes: Delivering Results in Greater Fort Wayne Read More
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: Investing in Disconnected Young People Read More
