STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 9
2/10/2026
TN
Date: February 10, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Josh Thomas, Supervisor – Film and Economic Development Larissa De La Cruz, Assistant City Manager
Subject: Award of Contract to TIP Strategies, Inc. for the Development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and Job Plan (RFP 864-26) Recommendations:
1. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with TIP Strategies, Inc. for the preparation of the City of Lancaster’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and Jobs Plan.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the contract, including all necessary documents and provisions, subject to City Attorney approval.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
The total cost of the agreement is $190,000. Sufficient funds have been budgeted and are available in account 101.10300.5710.
Background:
A CEDS is a long-range strategic planning document recognized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and is required to access certain federal and state funding opportunities. The City of Lancaster issued Request for Proposals (RFP 864-26) seeking qualified consulting firms to prepare the City’s first-ever CEDS and Jobs Plan. Following a comprehensive review process, TIP Strategies, Inc. was identified as the top-ranked firm based on its extensive experience preparing EDA-compliant CEDS documents, a strong California project portfolio, and its proposed approach that closely aligns with Lancaster’s economic priorities.
The purpose of a CEDS plan is to establish a clear, data-driven roadmap for Lancaster’s economic 2 3
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growth over the next five years, with a focus on job creation, industry diversification, infrastructure readiness, workforce alignment, housing, and quality of place. The plan will serve as a guide for City decision-making, prioritize investments, and align public and private partners around shared economic goals.
Under the proposed agreement, TIP Strategies will work closely with City staff and community stakeholders through a three-phase planning process:
1. Discovery Phase – Baseline economic and market analysis, stakeholder engagement, industry and workforce assessment, infrastructure and transportation readiness, and peer benchmarking.
2. Opportunity Phase – Identification and prioritization of economic development strategies, including focused analyses on the creative economy and film industry, industrial and warehouse development, housing and workforce development, retail revitalization, and clean energy opportunities.
3. Implementation Phase – Development of an actionable, EDA-compliant CEDS and Jobs Plan, including an implementation matrix, performance metrics, and a dashboard to track progress.
Completion of this plan will position Lancaster to:
Compete more effectively for federal and state economic development grants. Align workforce, housing, and infrastructure planning with targeted industries. Strengthen Lancaster’s competitiveness in aerospace, clean energy, film, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.
Provide City Council and staff with a clear, actionable framework for economic development decision-making.
Approving this agreement enables the City to launch its first CEDS and Jobs Plan. This initiative is a vital step toward defining Lancaster’s economic vision and securing long-term growth and opportunities.
JT/hb
Attachment:
Professional Services Agreement with TIP Strategies, Inc.