While reading a post on Daily Yonder: Keeping it Rural, I am reminded of why we have worked not only to increase broadband access, but also to increase broadband utilization. Sure, access to technology improves educational opportunities (check out http://www.highereducation.hickmantn.org/), it provides entertainment, and it increases our connection to information on our government and community.
However, the most immediate reward comes from technology utilization that benefits entrepreneurs in starting and growing a business. The post, “The Rural Broadband Challenge: Use It“, is sort of “if we build it, they will come” — if we build out rural broadband, business growth will come. However, we need to help growth by training entrepreneurs and supporting them. Through things like the entrepreneur workshop series that begins tomorrow, the http://www.business.hickmantn.org/ website, and other workshops like value-added agriculture products and tourism business, HCECDA and regional partners are trying to empower our deep pool of people with marketable skills and ideas to become successful entrepreneurs.
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.
