I attended the Hickman County Fair today for the Tennessee Century Farms recognition event and the reception
recognizing 100 years of UT Extension. One farm joined obtained the Century Farm distinction this year, making 18 in Hickman County. One of those farms reached the 200 year mark. To receive the Century Farm
designation, a farm must have remained in the same family for 100 years and to have been kept in farm production. For more information, visit the
Century Farms website.
Agriculture isn’t as big a part of economic development as it was over 100 years ago, but it continues to have a vital role in rural economic and community development.
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.
