September 2009

TIP to attend SEUS-Japan
 
Tom Stellman and Mitsu Yamazaki are finalizing plans to attend the 33rd annual meeting of the Southeast U.S./Japan Association in Tokyo. The SEUS-Japan conference provides an opportunity for leaders from eight states - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia - to network with Japan's top business leaders and government officials. The location of the three-day conference rotates between Japan and each of the U.S. member states. 
 
At the conference, TIP will be supporting our client the Community Development Foundation (CDF) of Lee County (Tupelo, Mississippi), in their effort to recruit Japanese investment. The CDF has retained TIP to create a ten-year comprehensive economic development strategy.
 
In preparation for the trip, TIP analysts have compiled data on suppliers to major Japanese automakers in the eight states. The data help to illustrate the tremendous economic multiplier effect Japanese investment has in the Southern U.S. The automotive industry is a prime example of how this works.  Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Subaru, and Suzuki  - the seven major Japanese automakers - all source parts in the eight-state SEUS region. At least five of these automakers have supplier networks that stretch into all eight SEUS member states. The three largest (Nissan, Honda, and Toyota) have each developed networks of more than 100 supplier plants in the eight-state region. Just a single automaker's supplier network can easily support upwards of 40,000 jobs in the SEUS region.  And these supplier networks contribute more to the region than jobs alone. Their manufacturing facilities also enhance the region's property tax base. Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and Subaru each support a network of suppliers in the eight-state region whose support facilities cover over 17 million square feet of factory space.  Click here to view the data.
Back By Popular Demand... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TIP has received a number of requests to update its popular Geography of Jobs animated map. Click here to view the map, which shows data through July 2009.
Project Round-Up
TIP Strategies works across the country to help communities, regions, and states build on their assets, challenge old ways of thinking, and encourage options for sustainable economic success. Here's what we're working on.
 
TIP recently completed a community assessment of North Harris County (Houston, Texas area)  for the Lone Star College System. The assessment also included recommendations on formalizing and organizing economic development efforts in the region as well as a toolkit for creating a basic economic development program. 

Over the past two decades, North Harris County has been one of the highest growth areas of the Houston Metropolitan Area, with a wide range of quality housing options, superior school districts, and many quality of life amenities. However, as new developments have been completed in the outer rings of the metro area, some of the older neighborhoods and commercial centers have deteriorated both aesthetically and in value. The map shows the percent change in single family property values in the region between 2007 and 2008. 
 
 
Although the growth management issues that the region faces are similar to other rapidly growing suburbs, the governance structure and development patterns of North Harris County create unique challenges for the region. Much of the region lies in unincorporated areas of the county; thus, the tools available for managing growth are very limited. In this context, economic development organizations and chambers of commerce take on roles beyond that of traditional business retention and recruitment.
 
TIP's plan for the region focused on how the college system could help build economic development capacity and support economic development initiatives in the region through collaboration, education, and advocacy.
 
 
The Seguin Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) engaged TIP to conduct an analysis of the economic impact of manufacturing in Guadalupe County. With roughly 6,000 jobs, manufacturing is a significant part of the county's economy. Our analysis of the county's economic base shows that manufacturing supports 24 percent of the county's employment and 30 percent of total earnings. News that Caterpillar will build a $170 million engine-manufacturing plant in the area will only strengthen this important sector. The global manufacturer is expected to add more than 1,400 jobs with a direct impact of $371 million when fully operational. Even without the boost that Caterpillar will ultimately provide, Guadalupe County manufacturers play a key role in the region. Guadalupe County manufacturers account for 11.3 percent of total manufacturing employment in the eight-county San Antonio metropolitan area and 13.5 percent of output. Sales (output) for Guadalupe County manufacturers are estimated at $1.62 billion, more than the six remaining suburban counties combined.
Making a Difference
 
TIP is proud of the success our clients have achieved. We are committed to following the progress of our clients and serving as a resource during implementation. Here are examples of how our work has made a difference.
 
TIP would like to congratulate the Denton Economic Development Partnership, the City of Denton, and the Denton Chamber of Commerce for the success they have achieved in implementing their strategic plan. 

In 2002, TIP assisted the City of Denton in identifying and prioritizing its economic development opportunities. The opportunities identified were creating a technology-focused business park; launching an image and marketing campaign; re-using a former corporate campus for the University of North Texas research park; and revitalizing downtown. In a detailed plan, TIP outlined strategies and actions for capitalizing on each opportunity.
 
The plan was adopted in May 2003 and the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) was charged with overseeing the implementation of the plan. As of the summer of 2009, the City reported that they have just about completed implementation. Of their many achievements, here are just a few:
  • Fundraising for and constructing two roads that have opened up hundreds of acres of land for business park development.
  • Launching the award-winning "North of Ordinary" image campaign as well as three new websites to promote the area - www.DentonEDP.com, www.DentonMD.org, and www.DentonSites.com.
  • Creating a TIF district in downtown to finance improvements for the downtown redevelopment initiative.
  • Purchasing property and designing the site for a Transit-Oriented Development to act as a downtown catalyst project.
  • Hiring a diretor for the UNT's Discovery Park and securing grants to fund cutting-edge equipment and research.

As a result of its efforts, the Denton Economic Development Partnership has been recognized by the IEDC in both 2007 and 2008 for Excellence in Economic Development. In addition, the City has tripled the funds it dedicates to economic development and the EDP has successfully raised the private sector funds needed to complete such a myriad of projects.

 
The Economic Development Group of Kittitas County (EDG) recently hosted the Annual Washington Business policy summit in Cle Elum and facilitated a roundtable discussion of local business and economic development leaders. Attending both events were Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and Washington Department of Commerce Director Rogers Weed. EDG officials briefed the visiting state officials on the county's newly completed Certified Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which was prepared by TIP. Pictured here are Washington Governor Gregoire (center) holding the CEDS document, EDG President Anne Watanabe (right), and EDG Director Ron Cridlebaugh (left).
Upcoming Events
Our team members regularly present on issues surrounding economic development. Contact us if you would like to have TIP Strategies as part of your next event.
 
This week! Tom Stellman will be presenting sessions on "Target Opportunities in a Restructured Economy" at TEDC's 2009 Annual Conference to be held in San Antonio on Wednesday, September 30 at 9:00 and again at 11:00 a.m. He will also be updating  participants on the latest trends in economic development for the Basic Economic Development Course on Thursday October 1 in San Antonio.
 
Next week! Mitsu Yamazaki will be moderating a sponsor session on social media and economic development at the IEDC's Annual Conference on Monday October 4 at 10:00.  Jon Roberts will be speaking at Post-disaster Redevelopment Planning session on Monday October 4 at 11:45.  If you're planning to attend the event, held October 4-7 in Reno, be sure to add these sessions to your agenda.
 
The ACI- NA 18th Annual Conference and Exhibition will be held in downtown Austin October 11-14. Lynxs and TIP Strategies will be co-hosting a reception on October 12 at our offices from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Please come by if you are attending the conference.

TIP STRATEGIES, INC.

Who We Are: TIP Strategies works with communities throughout the country to develop innovative, publicly supported economic development strategies.

What We Do: TIP provides clients with the tools they need to better understand their economy and the alternatives available to them. We offer a host of economic development services:

  • Strategic Planning
  • Impact Analysis
  • Workforce Analysis
  • Industry Cluster Analysis 
  • Entrepreneurship Strategies
  • Defense Communities

Our Approach:  At TIP Strategies, we believe that talent, innovation, and place provide essential building blocks for economic vitality. We realize that economic development cannot take place in a vacuum. While traditional tools and conventional approaches continue to have their place, we believe that successful strategies require a broader, more inclusive viewpoint.

Our clients attest that our commitment extends beyond any assignment we undertake.  TIP has steadily built a reputation for progressive thinking, client relations, and personal attention to the details of implementation.

We'd like to hear how TIP can be of assistance to you.

TIP STRATEGIES, INC.
106 E. 6th St., Ste.550
Austin, TX 78701
512.343.9113


TIP Strategies, Inc. - 106 E. 6th Steet, Ste. 550 - Austin, TX 78701 - 512.343.9113
www.tipstrategies.com