John Karas, principal at TIP Strategies, told the Fulshear Economic Development Corporation on Jan. 13 that the firm can either refresh the city's 2019 plan or deliver a comprehensive new strategic plan and explained the difference comes down to time and stakeholder engagement.

Karas said the firm uses a three‑phase approach: a discovery phase to gather quantitative and qualitative data, an opportunity phase to develop big ideas and priorities, and an implementation phase to identify tactics, timeframes and performance measures. "That's where the rubber meets the road," Karas said of the implementation phase.

He suggested a typical comprehensive update runs six to nine months and most economic development plans are designed for about five years, though plans can be shorter or longer depending on local needs. Karas said the choice between a refresh and a full update should consider how much has changed since 2019 in three areas: elapsed time, the amount of local change (growth, new employers, industry mix) and turnover in leadership among staff, council and partners.

Board members asked whether COVID‑era changes in work patterns and the real estate market should push Fulshear toward a comprehensive update. Karas said COVID accelerated trends already in place — workforce shortages, shifts in residential and commercial demand and remote work — and those trends could affect tactics and timing, but the original plan goals (targeting regional headquarters, professional services, lifestyle centers, and downtown redevelopment) remain largely relevant.

Staff and board members also asked whether a refresh should include more tactical items — developer and broker outreach, lists of site selectors and concrete steps for recruiting specific retailers or employers. Karas and staff agreed those implementation tactics could be an explicit deliverable in either a refresh or a full update.

No formal decision was required at the meeting. City staff said the presentation was intended to solicit questions and inform whether the boards want to pursue a refresh or a comprehensive update at a later date.