Leland Analyst Contributes to New Book on Heartland Innovation Economy

LCG Analyst Adam Lipsey (right) and Reinventing the Hearltland author Nicholas Lalla

While we spend most of our time creating actionable development strategies, Leland Consulting Group is also on the cutting-edge of economic development thought leadership. Leland urban development analyst Adam Lipsey recently contributed research, prose, and data analysis to a new book on how inclusive, entrepreneurially-minded civic ecosystems can play a role in revitalizing American heartland communities.

The book, Reinventing The Heartland: How One City's Inclusive Approach to Innovation and Growth can Revive the American Dream, explores how the economic transformation of Tulsa, Oklahoma offers clues for the revival of other heartland cities across America. Author Nicholas Lalla tells Tulsa's inspirational story of economic transformation, leveraging case studies, interviews, data analysis, and his own experience founding the Tulsa Innovation Labs ("TIL"). TIL functions as a first-of-its-kind, rural innovation catalyst, connecting people, organizations, and ideas in the Tulsa region to create economic opportunity.

Reflecting on the book and its lessons, Adam says that this kind of urban/rural innovation ecosystem can be emulated, and has the capacity to steer struggling economies toward more equitable and competitive positions in the modern, tech-forward economy. "Helping Nick with the book was a highlight of my experience as a planning student at UCLA, and knowing this work can help heartland cities strategize their futures has made it rewarding."