The First Tier Suburbs Council is open to any local elected official representing a member city or town outside of central cities and inside the ring of developing suburbs and rural areas. Participants share ideas and creative solutions to challenges affecting first tier suburbs. Participation in the Council ensures that the unique needs of First Tier Suburbs are reflected in NLC’s advocacy efforts and policy discussions.
Council Objectives
- To be recognized as the voice and advocate for first tier suburbs
- To be a resource to municipal officials from first tier suburbs
- To engage first tier suburbs as active NLC members
2021 FIRST TIER SUBURBS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Overview
NLC partnered with TIP Strategies to offer national economic analysis to a first-tier community, suburb, or a regional group of cities, on a topic of critical importance to that municipality. The community receives data analysis and insights to address shared opportunities and challenges with the help of a national economic development and workforce consulting firm and an economic development summit.
Congratulations to our 2021 winners, these cities in the Suburbs Consortium of Dayton, Ohio:
- Centerville
- Clayton
- Harrison Township
- Huber Heights
- Kettering
- Oakwood
- Riverside
- Trotwood
- Vandalia
- West Carrollton
- Moraine
- Washington Township
TIP Strategies will donate economic data analysis and expertise and facilitate a half day summit where community leaders will discuss economic challenges and opportunities. The summit will highlight collaborative opportunities for local governments and help to formulate economic development solutions.
2021 First Tier Suburbs Economic Development Program
In 2021, NLC’s First Tier Suburbs Council partnered again with TIP Strategies to offer pro bono consulting to a suburb or regional group to address an emerging challenge. The First Suburbs Consortium of Dayton was selected to host the 2021 Economic Development Forum, focusing on talent attraction and retention. Watch the video to learn more about the forum.
2019 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HOUSING SUMMIT
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are now closed for the 2021 First Tier Suburbs Economic Development Program.
Questions before applying, email our membership team at membership@nlc.org and put First Tier Suburbs in the subject line.

ABOUT TIP STRATEGIES
TIP STRATEGIES, INC. (TIP) is a privately held economic development consulting firm committed to providing innovative strategy solutions for public and private sector clients since 1995. With offices in Austin and Seattle, the firm’s primary focus is economic development strategic planning at the local, region and state levels. Specific topics in which TIP has deep experience include workforce, entrepreneurship, target industries, and defense industries/communities. TIP’s methods establish a clear vision for economic growth. Community leaders across the country have embraced the TIP model of Talent, Innovation and Place to achieve successful and sustainable communities.