Cuts we wanted…

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Daryl Phillips, CEcD

H.R. 1, the U.S. House of Representatives FY2011 Continuing Resolution funding bill, contains funding cuts that would effectively end as we know them the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs. WIA programs have helped increase the skill levels of local workforces to meet the needs of local employers. I think the WIA has been especially effective in rural areas, which have been hit hard with manufacturing declines and other economic changes. Rural access to conventional training facilities has always been a challenge in workforce training and recently WIA programs have provided broadband-connected computers for training, assessments and job search to those who may not have access to technology in their rural home. The entire 359 page bill is linked above, but for a brief description of its potential workforce impact, the National Skills Coalition has a brief synopsis.

In addition, H.R. 1 greatly reduces funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The CDBG program has been one of the most utilized funding tools to improve infrastructure in rural communities. Waterlines, sewer lines, water storage tanks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, public buildings, fire protection equipment and other public infrastructure important to rural economic and community development have benefited from CDBG investments.
…more tighten-the-belt, do-more-with-less in Rural America we expect.

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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