Author Archives: Daryl Phillips, CEcD

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.

Tennessee responds to business concerns

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed into law the Tennessee Unemployment Insurance Accountability Act today.  The bill makes it more difficult for those terminated with cause to successfully file a claim and tightens the requirements for the unemployed to search for … Continue reading

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Chief Executive magazine reports CEOs name Tennessee to their Best States to do Business list.

Chief Executive magazine’s eighth annual survey of CEO opinion of Best and Worst States in which to do business named Tennessee as one of the top 4 BEST states to do business.  Texas earned the number 1 position.  Maybe we … Continue reading

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Google blogs about Nashville entrepreneurs

Google praises Nashville’s entrepreneurial scene on its blog.  Google can be a big help in making our small businesses look and become big.

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In memory of a Teacher

I made a contribution to the Hickman County Imagination Library today. So, what is the Hickman County Imagination Library?  We mail a book each month to every child who enrolls from that child’s birth until he or she turns 5 … Continue reading

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No, it won’t be on the test

It started out as part of another project and evolved into an Economic Development Education webpage that would make it easier for an industrial development board member, elected official or involved citizen to learn a little about economic development.  It … Continue reading

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Broadband Expansion Initiative in Hickman County Gets Another Boost

VERIZON WIRELESS TO BLANKET SMALL TOWNS IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE WITH HIGH SPEED 4G LTE NETWORK STARTING APRIL 19 NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Starting April 19, Verizon Wireless customers in more than 25 small towns in Middle Tennessee can take advantage of … Continue reading

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Arts & Ag Tour — Memorial Day Weekend in Hickman County, Tennessee

Farms and arts studios will be open for visitors during the first annual Hickman County Arts and Ag Tour.  Opening day is Friday, May 25th.  Like them on Facebook or check out their blog for more information and to learn … Continue reading

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Summer reading list

I am reading When the Boomers Bail: A Community Economic Survival Guide by Mark Lautman. Laith Wardi recommended it as a “must read” for economic development, especially for rural economic development, and the first chapter has not disappointed. Mr. Lautman makes a … Continue reading

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Agriculture and Forestry “Listening Sessions” Set Statewide

In an effort to continue to increase rural economic development in Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is hosting a series of listening sessions across the state in April and May for farmers, forest landowners and agribusinesses. Agriculture and forestry … Continue reading

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Better for business than being flashed

Cash mobs are working in ‘shop local’ initiatives. “‘Cash mobs’ mobilize to boost small businesses — and to socialize” sheds some light on the mobsters.  I have seen sucesses in some rural communities. Will it work in Hickman County?

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Some extraordinary business climates live in Texas

“Austin, Texas remains the small business champion” for the South according to On Numbers. They base their rankings on a six-part formula that analyzes such diverse factors as population growth, employment gains or losses and local concentrations of small businesses … Continue reading

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We are making it

Jack Shultz of Agurban writes about the strength of our manufacturing sector.

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USDA Rural Development Conference at Tennessee Tech

The 17th annual Rural Development Conference will be held April 11-12 in Cookeville, Tennessee on the brilliantly beautiful campus of Tennessee Technological University (yep, I’m a proud alumnus!)  Hosted by USDA Rural Development, TTU College of Business, and Tennessee Valley Authority … Continue reading

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Economic Development explained delightfully

Here is a couple of great YouTube videos (the illustrations are entertaining) on ‘How REAL economic development happens’ and ‘What is Traded Sector & Its Importance (difference in primary and secondary jobs)’:

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Innovative initiatives to encourage innovation

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam will host the inaugural 2012 Governor’s Innovation Conference on Thursday, April 26 and Friday, April 27, at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel. The conference will provide a glimpse into the Volunteer State’s economic future through keynote addresses, … Continue reading

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Comcast offers students assistance with training, computer and broadband access

Comcast’s Internet Essentials program has expanded eligibility to include qualified families with students who receive free or reduced price school lunches through the National School Lunch Program. Comcast has also doubled download speed to enhance the Internet experience for eligible families. … Continue reading

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It’s not just a job, it’s an (add definition)

I had some time this morning and took a hike in Warner Park, a place conducive to forgetting your worries or refocusing one’s thought.  I saw a guy, his head bowed over his guitar (either in deep thought or maybe sleep), … Continue reading

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“I put a dollar in a change machine. Nothing changed.” – George Carlin

If you read this blog very often, you realize that I read a lot.  I find that I learn a little or at least it makes me think. This The Rurban Fringe blog post, “How to Encourage Change“, made me … Continue reading

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Connected Tennessee Needs Your Help

Connected Tennessee is calling on Tennessee communities to assist with creating a more accurate picture of broadband availability in Tennessee, and to provide feedback on the maps, especially if a discrepancy in broadband coverage is noticed. The input from consumers … Continue reading

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The brains we gain stay mainly out of campaigns

I agree with the article, “Researcher: It’s not a drain but a gain“, that ‘brain drain’ is inevitable — our youth go to college and tend not to return.  However, are we as rural communities like Hickman County, Tennessee doing enough … Continue reading

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Wonder if they have “app”le pie a’ la modem?

“Study: Wireless technology use surges” in The Murfreesboro Post reports small business in Tennessee can turn technology into better business.

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Business Improvement Workshop on March 29th

Business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders have the opportunity to hear internationally-known Destination Business expert Jon Schallert when he comes to Linden on Thursday, March 29 from 8:00 AM-3:00 PM, at the Perry County Community Development Center located on Factory … Continue reading

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Local Economic Development Professional is One of the First Graduates of TVA’s Professional Rural Leadership Institute

Daryl Phillips, Executive Director of Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association, Inc. in Centerville, Tennessee recently graduated from TVA’s Rural Leadership Institute. The Rural Leadership Institute, developed and sponsored by TVA Economic Development, provides professional leadership training to rural … Continue reading

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Happy Pi Day!

It’s 3/14, the day to celebrate Pi (3.1415926535…), an irrational number.

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How do you start them up in a business after they’ve seen Paree?

Addressing both rural brain drain and economic development (rural job creation and capital investment,) this post, “Could EntrepreneurShip Investigation Help Keep Your Youth at Home?“, tells of the ESI: EntrepreneurShip Investigation program hosted by the University of Nebraska – Lincoln … Continue reading

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Rural Development

USDA Rural Development provides a great benefit to the economic development of rural America. From technology for marketing to sewer lines and other infrastructure, USDA Rural Development has participated in the funding of many economic development projects over the years … Continue reading

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Supporting Local

In economic development in Hickman County, we have limited resources for economic development marketing and attraction.  This is why we work really hard to support our great local industries: “Small Manufacturers Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth”

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Give me a lever, a fulcrum and a working knowledge of statistical process control….

This article, “Making it in America“, tells how increased productivity, the rising skill levels needed of our ‘unskilled’ workers and higher technology has complicated our pursuit to create a boom in manufacturing employment.

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Domestic Kitchen certification course now online

For everyone who wants to begin a home-based food business that qualifies as a domestic kitchen, University of Tennessee Extension now offers the Tennessee domestic kitchen certification online.  This press release has more information and you may register to take … Continue reading

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2012 Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development

Governor Haslam and his Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has announced that the 59th Annual Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development will be held on Thursday, October 18 and Friday, October 19, 2012 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel … Continue reading

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