In an article titled “Bringing Broadband to Rural America” on BusinessWeek magazine’s online edition, BusinessWeek.com , Hickman County was highlighted by technology writer Arik Hesseldahl. Hickman County Economic & Community Development Assn. has been working with Connected Tennessee in increasing technology availability and utilization in our county. This issue not only has immediate importance to our economic development, but impacts the future skill level of our labor force. As one can see from our higher education website, there are numerous educational opportunities that are difficult to access without an adequate connection to technology.
I appreciate the time Dwight Sullivan with Coldwell Banker Signature Realty and Sandra Thornton with Southeastern Pant spent talking with Mr. Hesseldahl and participating in our efforts to improve Internet access in Hickman County.
About Daryl Phillips, CEcD
I am a professional economic developer. I presently work for communities and companies in developing and implementing workforce and economic development solutions as CEO of Phillips Economic Development Solutions (Phi EDS).
Prior to September 2017, I was the economic development professional who served a community team of elected officials, business people, community leaders and dedicated stakeholders for economic development in Cheatham County, Tennessee (pop. 39,880) and its four towns. During my five-year tenure, I served the team as Cheatham County grew over 1,700 jobs, turned around population declines at the start of this decade into healthy population growth, increased tourism expenditures 20.3% and local tax revenue from tourism 25.4%, grew sales tax revenue 36%, focused on developing the local workforce and was recognized by SmartAsset as having the 9th highest Incoming Investment Index of all the 95 counties in Tennessee.
I am a member of International Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, Tennessee Economic Development Council and International Council of Shopping Centers.
I have earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certification from National Development Council and hold a Master of Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University.