Beam me up, Scotty! (if you can get a connection)

Digital Age Is Slow to Arrive in Rural America” in The New York Times tells about how high speed internet does not reach everyone in America in an age where we are told we must use technology to be competitive.


Another challenge is that adoption rates (if they build out broadband, will we sign up?) lag way behind in rural areas. Building awareness has increased adoption rates for Hickman County from 23% in 2007 to 38% in 2010, but that is still significantly lower than the Tennessee rate of 58%.

On a related note, the United States Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration released last week its broadband map and broadband adoption survey results: COMMERCE’S NTIA UNVEILS NATIONAL BROADBAND MAP AND NEW BROADBAND ADOPTION SURVEY RESULTS.

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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