Services
We design the strategies and structures that drive lasting economic change.
What We Do
Formation helps regions confront big questions that transcend silos and demand cross-sector solutions. We work across three domains:
Regional Economic
Strategy
Workforce & Education Systems Alignment
Energy
Transition
Regional Economic Strategy
Regional Economic Strategy
Formation identifies how regions can spur innovation in established and emerging sectors to generate sustained, inclusive growth. We design bold but practical strategies and the implementation muscle needed to move from aspiration to action.
We’ve partnered with more than 50 regional economic development organizations and civic coalitions across the country to identify the industries and capabilities that matter most for building inclusive, prosperous economies. Our work goes beyond producing analysis to help regional teams set clear priorities, design interventions backed by data, and translate plans into action.
Workforce & Education Systems Alignment
Workforce & Education Systems Alignment
Formation partners with regions to build responsive workforce systems that align education and training with labor market needs and deliver economic mobility for workers and talent for employers.
We developed the nationally recognized Next Generation Sector Partnership model, now active in more than 100 regions across 20 states. Regarded as a leading approach for engaging the private sector beyond traditional advisory roles, the model brings employers together with education, workforce, and economic development partners to align on shared priorities and organize to act collectively in strengthening talent systems and boosting industry competitiveness.
Energy Transition
Energy Transition
Formation integrates climate policy and economic strategy to help states and regions unleash clean energy abundance in ways that benefit key industries, workers, and communities.
We’ve worked with cities and regions to seize the energy transition as an opportunity for innovation and inclusive workforce development. Our analysis has helped regions assess the energy requirements of their economic ambitions and design infrastructure development plans that reduce emissions and increase competitiveness.
How We Work
We work alongside regional leaders to drive transformation, whether that means framing the challenge, shaping strategy and metrics, breaking through gridlock, or designing systems to sustain progress. We provide:
Strategic Advising and Coaching
We help regional teams sharpen their strategic vision and build capacity for execution. With field-tested experience from more than 100 regions across the country, we show up as advisors, thought partners, and coaches in the hard work of building strategies and systems that last.
Industry Activation
We help regions mobilize private sector leaders as drivers of strategy and champions of execution. We specialize in the art and science of building industry-led Next Gen Sector Partnerships— where business leaders work together to shape and drive solutions for industry competitiveness and talent development.
Learning Experience Design and Facilitation
We create structured, high-trust environments where practitioners can learn from each other in real time. We are master facilitators who design customized, collaborative spaces for honest exchange, shared discovery, and practical problem-solving among peers.
Research
We conduct focused, practice-informed research that surfaces patterns across regions, translates complex dynamics into usable insights, and informs smarter strategies on the ground.
Field-Building
We distill insights from field work across the country into shared frameworks and language, creating tools that make effective strategies easier to replicate.
We know that real economic transformation doesn’t come from flashy plans or quick wins. It’s about aligning people and systems around shared purpose and having the structure, focus, and stamina to follow through. That’s the work we’re here to support.