Insights

Implementation & measurement

Map with a magnifying glass selecting road detail

Tracking Active Transportation Improvements with GIS

Transparent and well-documented implementation is key to the success of long-term planning efforts. GIS is an especially effective tool for tracking specific, place-based projects, including infrastructure and mobility improvements. Regional organizations and governments in places like Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and Seattle are using GIS maps to enhance accountability and ensure stakeholders can see tangible progress across multiple plans and agencies.

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Man presenting to an audience seeking SBIR and STTR funding

Accessible Innovation Capital: SBIR & STTR Programs

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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San Luis Obispo with a mountain in the background.

Sustainability and Economic Development as Mutually Reinforcing Priorities

Faced with unprecedented environmental challenges, the integration of climate sustainability into economic development planning has increased in urgency for many practitioners. As part of TIP’s work with the City of San Luis Obispo, California, Mishka Parkins gained a first-hand perspective on how this integration can be accomplished and the opportunities a sustainability focus can create.

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ACT cover with a Fort Wayne skyline

Field Notes: Delivering Results in Greater Fort Wayne

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.

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Anchorage Alaska in summer

Field Notes: Creating a Collaborative Framework for Implementation

Recognizing the resources required to holistically implement its new strategic plan, the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) has taken collaboration and coordination to heart. In addition to integrating the plan’s four pillars and related visualizations into their website, AEDC has created cross-sector working groups to move each pillar forward.

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Indianapolis

Field Notes: Building Consensus in CEDS Planning

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.

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Developing an Economic Sustainability Plan

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.

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an arrow drawn through a chalk maze

Making the Way for Inclusive Economic Growth

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.

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Coordinating Economic Disaster Recovery in Idaho

Field Notes: Coordinating Economic Disaster Recovery in Idaho

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.

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Larimer County Acquires 1,000 Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Using TIP’s Occupational Risk Tool

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.

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