Disaster and Disruption Planning for Communities and Companies

My thoughts and prayers are with those communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey. In 2010, I was the economic development director in a county heavily impacted by the “2010 Nashville Flood” during which we received around 20 inches of rain. Later, I moved on to another county in the area where preparing for the next disaster was a significant part of my strategic plan.

However, as time passes, spending time and resources on business disruption planning fades on the priority list. Let’s continue to help out those affected by Harvey, but remember the past and the inevitability of future fury from Mother Nature and Murphy’s Law in our communities when we see those images of destruction and disruption in Texas and Louisiana.

A great resource for disaster or just common-place business disruption (for example, the phone line gets cut for a day) planning is available at no cost at www.restoreyoureconomy.org. The International Economic Development Council, with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, created and maintains this site with its knowledgeable and experienced staff and members. It provides online training, documentation, planning templates, etc. to make it easier for communities and companies to plan for their next disaster or disruption and to recover as quickly as possible their economy.

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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