Small business development, looking back to see ahead

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Daryl Phillips, CEcD

It is that time of year to look back and reminisce.  In my job, that also applies.  I have begun working to update our Business Resource Guide that I developed and send out to our industrial companies every year.  I am also working on improving and updating our  information on starting and growing a small business in our area of Middle Tennessee.  Doing some benchmarking to get ideas from other communities doesn’t make me feel any better — it just confirms how constant change is and how difficult it is to stay current with information and connecting with entrepreneurs.  Stay tuned, it is my pre-New Year’s resolution to build on  our resources and better connect with those starting or growing a business.

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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