Conducting Economic & Community Development

Like most of us in economic development, our schedules change to respond to the needs of our communities and to the busy schedules of prospective business and industry. Such was the case on Saturday as I had the opportunity to again present our community. So, I was ready for a diversion as my wife and I attended the Nashville Symphony performance on Saturday night.

While enjoying the performance, I was thinking (daydreaming, really — symphony time is such great daydreaming time for me….) how much the conductor is like the economic developer. No matter how much preparation and rehearsal time there might be, he (or she) steps out front, turns his vulnerable back to the crowd, and puts his success into the hands of many diverse players. No matter how frantically or cajoling he waves that baton, the end product is ultimately dependant on the performance of others. Sure, he takes that first bow, but then relinquishes the accolades to the collaborative group.

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.
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