I read a lot of stuff. Sometimes for fun, sometimes to learn something (or at least stimulate) and sometimes to renew my faith in this world. I just read a blog post tonight from Reimagine Rural that does a little of all the above. In “Who is the ‘Amazing Maisie’ in your community?“, Mike Knutson writes about Maisie Devore, a woman who collected cans and raised $100,000 over a period of 30 years to fund the building of a community swimming pool for her hometown of Eskeridge, Kansas, population 589.
“Amazing Maisie” saw a need to provide for the children and community and despite discouraging words, labored on toward her goal of helping her community. We all have “Amazing Maisies.” Centerville’s municipal pool was built in 1957, as I recall, with a donation. East Hickman Park was built by a dedicated group of volunteers spurred into action when commissioners tried to give back land generously donated by the McCord family. “Amazing Maisies“… yep, we got ’em. Unfortunately, we also all have “Anti-Maisies” who say it can’t be done, work for negativity and relish in watching things fail.
Think about your Maisies and help to make them amazing.
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.
