Entrepreneurship & innovation Archives • TIP Strategies

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

Data Centers: Contentious Infrastructure of the Future

6.25.2026by 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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Row of electric scooters and bicycles at a rental station.

Building Resilience in Micromobility

4.29.2026by Ajay Kasturirangan

Urban areas face persistent traffic and parking challenges that can stifle economic vitality and limit the impact of transit investments. While micromobility offers a flexible solution, the long-term viability of these programs varies widely. By examining system resilience and infrastructure, this piece identifies how communities can successfully align bikes and e-scooters with broader economic goals.

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Mountain bike outdoor recreation innovation image by Kyle Bolen Photo

Outdoor Recreation as a Catalyst for Place-Based Innovation

6.27.2025by Elizabeth Scott

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.

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Aligning Local Strengths with Regional Innovation

6.24.2025by Luke Shuffield

Smaller communities near major metros can build thriving tech economies by aligning local assets with regional industry strengths. TIP’s work in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Sahuarita, Arizona, illustrates how targeted niche development—in this case, fintech and photonics—can position these communities for sustainable long-term growth.

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Engineers working on a robotic arm - Innovation

State of Innovation

6.17.2025by Jon Roberts

Over the last three decades, TIP has challenged conventional thinking about innovation. From our early work in Racine, Wisconsin, to current strategies for anticipating disruption, our approach has sought to align community assets with emerging trends. Managing partner Jon Roberts reflects on how economic development organizations can build lasting capacity for innovation in a rapidly changing world.

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AI Agents in Economic Development

6.16.2025by Ajay Kasturirangan

Economic development teams often face the challenge of implementing strategic plans with limited capacity. As a practical innovation, AI agents represent a promising shift in meeting that challenge. They represent a novel approach to how work gets done through a clear and phased approach.

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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

9.30.2024by 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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Man presenting to an audience seeking SBIR and STTR funding

Accessible Innovation Capital: SBIR & STTR Programs

9.27.2024by Erica Colston

When it comes to improving a community’s innovation assets, economic development practitioners can do only so much to influence postsecondary science and engineering programs or to increase the presence of venture capital firms. Supporting R&D-focused small businesses through the process of accessing federal SBIR/STTR dollars is a strategy that fits squarely within the realm of business and economic development.

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Leveraging EV Market Momentum to Drive Local Economic Impact

9.17.2024by Luke Shuffield

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.

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Placemaking for Innovation

3.28.2024by Erica Colston

While it is often overlooked, placemaking has emerged as an essential factor in building successful innovation ecosystems. Erica Colston’s latest post explores two innovation hubs—North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park and Pegasus Park in Dallas, Texas—to illustrate how placemaking strategies have adapted to succeed in today’s innovation environment.

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Entrepreneurship & innovation