Imagine a 911 call center where every second counts and every decision can mean the difference between life and death. Now, picture that same center running with the precision of a Swiss watch, powered by cutting-edge technology and staffed by highly trained professionals. This is the reality IXP Corporation is creating in communities across America.

For over two decades, IXP has been at the forefront of public safety innovation, pioneering public-private partnerships that are transforming emergency communications. What differentiates IXP from competitors and other consultants, according to President and COO Larry Consalvos, is that “we’ll do the consulting, we’ll build the solution, and then we’ll execute and deliver that solution. So, it truly is a public-private partnership.”

IXP Corporation provides emergency communications consulting, technology, and managed services for public safety agencies, governments, campuses, and private industries. Their comprehensive approach includes professional services for business continuity planning, emergency management, and public safety technology, as well as long-term managed services for 911/311 emergency communications and behavioral health solutions.

In smaller communities, IXP often consolidates emergency communication services across multiple communities to streamline operations and significantly improve response times without increasing costs or negatively affecting the life-work balance of 911 operators.

Consalvos explained that when IXP works with a community, “we look at how we can craft a solution for the client that does two things: one, meets all the performance metrics, and two, allows us to have a sustainable workforce that is not going to turn over.”

In an age of digital disruption, one might assume that public libraries are becoming relics of the past. However, LS&S is proving that libraries can not only survive but thrive as vibrant community hubs. With a track record of revitalizing libraries in over 80 communities, LS&S is writing a new chapter in the story of public libraries, one where innovation meets tradition and cost-efficiency goes hand in hand with expanded services.

LS&S offers a complete suite of managed services aimed at elevating service excellence, operational effectiveness, and innovation. Their approach involves partnering with community leaders to strategize, develop, and deliver excellent library services aligned with community goals. LS&S then manages day-to-day library operations, focusing on resource and service optimization.

The company’s services encompass various aspects of library management, including IT solutions, collection management, and operational efficiencies. Their IT professionals craft scalable and user-friendly solutions, while their Collection Management Team leverages a proprietary analytics platform to provide cost savings and improved collection performance.

LS&S’s oldest and biggest client, the Riverside County Library System (RCLS) in California, exemplifies LS&S’s transformative impact. “[Riverside County Library System] was looking for expertise around libraries. How to enhance the quality but then also grow the system. That’s what is most interesting about Riverside. Over the time we have been working with them, it hasn’t stayed static. A bunch of new branches were built, expansion into service areas that didn’t exist before, we’ve also renovated a whole bunch of the buildings. It’s a really strong partnership,” says LS&S Chief Marketing Officer Maureen DeLong.

Since partnering with LS&S in 1997, RCLS has experienced exponential growth, adding 12 new library branches and implementing cutting-edge technologies. Despite rapid county growth and economic challenges, the partnership has ensured stable library funding, consistent service hours, and continuous innovation. This collaboration has turned RCLS into a model of library excellence, showcasing how strategic management can significantly benefit both the community and local government.

Every town dreams of a bustling Main Street filled with thriving businesses and happy shoppers. Retail Strategies puts best practices and action behind those visions. As retail recruitment experts, they’re not just filling empty storefronts; they’re also filling communities. President of Retail Strategies, Lacy Beasley, points out that, “communities really have to think about not only building the physical infrastructure, but also the human infrastructure, and you do that through capacity building. And retail is a critical component of that.”

Retail Strategies specializes in helping communities prioritize and execute effective retail recruitment strategies. They understand that with limited resources, economic development teams must use their time most effectively when approaching targeted retailers. The company’s approach involves comprehensive market analysis, retailer matching, and strategic outreach to attract the right businesses to a community.

Their services include market analysis, retail recruitment, and ongoing support for economic development teams. Retail Strategies uses advanced data analytics to identify gaps

in the local retail landscape and target retailers that are most likely to succeed in a given area. They also provide training and support to local officials to enhance their retail recruitment efforts.

Retail Strategies’ collaboration with Maryville, Missouri, is a prime example of their impact on local economic development. In October 2019, the city partnered with Retail Strategies to boost its retail recruitment efforts. This partnership quickly bore fruit, attracting a new standalone, corporate-owned Starbucks to the community. The coffee giant chose a prime location on South Main Street, repurposing a former U.S. Bank site.

This high-profile addition to Maryville’s retail landscape not only filled a gap in the local market but also signaled the city’s growing appeal to national brands. The Starbucks development showcases Retail Strategies’ ability to leverage their connections and expertise to bring sought-after retailers to smaller markets, enhancing the community’s commercial offerings and potentially catalyzing further economic growth in the area.

For two decades, SFC has been the driving force behind some of the most innovative sports and recreation facilities in the country. These aren’t just places to play; they’re economic engines, community gathering spots, and catalysts for healthier, more vibrant cities.

SFC specializes in the planning, development, and management of sports and recreation complexes. Their services include feasibility studies, facility design consultation, construction management, and ongoing operational support. SFC’s approach focuses on creating sustainable facilities that not only provide recreational opportunities but also drive economic growth through sports tourism and community engagement. By ensuring that each facility operates efficiently and effectively, SFC enhances the overall experience for athletes, families, and visitors alike.

A key component of SFC’s success is its extensive SF Network, which comprises the largest portfolio of managed youth and amateur sports destinations in the United States. This network allows SFC to share best practices and resources across facilities, maximizing their ability to attract major events and tournaments. By leveraging its industry expertise and connections, SFC helps com-

munities capitalize on sports tourism as a significant revenue stream while promoting local health initiatives that support a high quality of life.

For success stories, look no further than Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This facility has become a cornerstone of the local economy by hosting numerous sports tournaments that draw visitors from across the country. In 2022-23 alone, Rocky Top generated an economic impact of $76.3 million for the region.

For SFC, the approach to driving eye-popping economic impact is rooted in partnership. They seek a deep understanding of a community’s goals for their venue and make them their own. They then put the people, processes, and support in place to achieve operational success. In doing so, SFC strives to integrate itself into the communities it serves and be an extension of its teams.