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.

Advice even if you plan to apply to a real school like Tennessee Tech University

I thought this blog post, “Dear Eighth Grader: So You Want to Apply to Harvard? Some Words of Advice… “, was relevant even if one is neither an 8th grader nor planning to apply to Harvard.  Intellectual ambition, drive, zest for discovery … Continue reading

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BBQ that’s worth the trip

Check out the latest rave review of Centerville’s own Papa Kayjoe’s barbeque in the Nashville Scene.  The Garden & Gun article mentioned in the article can be read by clicking here.

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If you build attractiveness, they will come

I am very much in agreement with this post, “Tourism and economic development are linked” on the Small Biz Survival blog. Some people can only see the returns from tourism from a clicking turnstile. As this post states, making your community … Continue reading

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Link to the TVA Valley Works blog

News and views about economic development happenings in the seven-state TVA region.

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Joint Economic & Community Development Board Meeting

Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association, Inc. will hold its next meeting on February 16th at 6:30p.m. at the East Hickman Community Center. The board voted to have one night meeting per quarter to allow more people to participate in its business meetings. All … Continue reading

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Economic Developers Forum

I am attending the TVA Economic Developers Forum tomorrow and Friday. Part of tomorrow’s activity will be completing the inaugural class of the TVA Rural Leadership Institute, which includes economic development professionals from Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Mississippi, Kentucky and Alabama.

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Is the glass half full or half empty… or is it just a mighty fine glass?

The Ruraltopia.com blog came up in a roundtable discussion I was a part of a couple weeks ago.  I revisited it this morning and really liked the post “Yes, We’re Still Dead” by Trent McKnight.  I would recommend it to … Continue reading

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War of 1812 Bicentennial

This is a few months away, but the Natchez Trace Compact and the Natchez Trace Parkway Association are excited to announce Muster Day on the Natchez Trace.  This observance of the bicentennial of the War of 1812 on the Natchez … Continue reading

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The times, they are a changin’….

“10 Workplace Trends to Watch in 2012” at Entrepreneur.com lists some trends we are already seeing. My workplace certainly will be changing.  If you think your workplace won’t be changing, you might be in for a surprise.

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Connect with customers: time to be more social and less with media.

Any Hickman County, Tennessee businesses need a social media cheatsheet?  Flowtown provides us with a good one.

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An opportunity to connect for education

A report states Comcast plans to expand eligibility of their Internet Essentials program, which provides high-speed internet to families with children in school that might not be able to afford regular rates.

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Using QR Codes in Economic Development

For the slides and the supplemental information from my presentation Using QR Codes in Economic Development that was part of the Ignite IEDC session of the 2012 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Leadership Summit in San Antonio on January 30th, you … Continue reading

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Time to tell the success story

Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development recently released its 2011 Annual Report.

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Internet marketing is for local small business

Joanne Steele tells the story of “How the Internet Levels the Playing Field for Local Small Businesses.”

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Great resource for entrepreneurs

StartupTN this week gave a progress update and launched what may be Tennessee’s first startup database for public use.

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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant Applications now available

PHS 2012-2 Omnibus Solicitation for SBIR/STTR Grants Now Available January 31, 2012 The PHS 2012-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, FDA, and ACF for SBIR/STTR Grant Applications and SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide for SBIR/STTR Grant Applications are now … Continue reading

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What’s new with withholdings?

Sometimes, running a business isn’t very exciting.  This is an example: the new IRS (Circular E) Employer’s Tax Guide for use in 2012 is out.

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Hickman County

It is a cold, sunny morning in Hickman County, Tennessee at the office of Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association, Inc.  On February 7th in Hickman County, Tennessee,  Hickman County citizens will be busy discussing the possibility of a new festival … Continue reading

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IEDC Leadership Summit 2012

I am participating in the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Leadership Summit in San Antonio, Texas.  So far, it has been a great networking and knowledge building event.  I’m making a presentation in one of the two afternoon sessions today that hopefully be … Continue reading

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Columbia State Community College Annual Legislators and Community Leaders’ Breakfast

I am about to go into the 16th Annual Columbia State Community College Annual Legislators and Community Leaders’ Breakfast.  Columbia State Community College serves this region, including Hickman County, Tennessee, improving the quality of our workforce and collaborating with our … Continue reading

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TNForward

Governor Bill Haslam recently unveiled his TNForward legislative package.  Most interesting to economic development professionals is more flexibility in the FastTrack program without sacrificing accountablity.  The FastTrack program is an important tool in helping communities help businesses create jobs and increase capital … Continue reading

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If I had a hammer, I’d hammer out a business plan

Start a new small construction or general contracting business now?  With a contraction of construction firms during the recession, there may be room for some start-ups as construction and remodeling begin to pick up.  If you are considering it now or want … Continue reading

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Twenty-twelve, now off the shelf!

My only New Year’s resolution is to enjoy the Titans and bowl games and not think too much for the first two days of 2012. However, this blog post by Dean Barber looks to provide food for thought on twenty-twelve’s economic … Continue reading

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Happy New Year!!! Hoping for an even more wonderful life in 2012.

Watching the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life is a holiday tradition for a lot of us. I just saw a clip of it on Facebook today and was reminded how much George Bailey and the Bailey Bros. Building & Loan … Continue reading

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County board funds new website

“During December 2011 this site will become the web voice of the Industrial Development Board of Hickman County Tennessee,” states the website, www.idbhickman.org, which was brought online by the Hickman County Industrial Board several weeks ago.  After months of work by them, … Continue reading

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Hickman County Above the Rim Christmas Invitational Basketball Tournament

The 2011 Hickman County Above the Rim Christmas Invitational Basketball Tournament begins tomorrow (the 28th) and continues on December 29th and 30th at Hickman County High School in Centerville, Tennessee. The Girl’s Tournament Brackets are posted on the HCHS Women’s Basketball web … Continue reading

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Merry Christmas!!

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season.

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Shop Local in Hickman County

This video is from another community (Merced, CA), but tells the buy local story well.

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Southern Middle Tennessee JOBS4TN Plan Released

Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagarty released the nine regional strategic plans that outline how regional field staff will lead new state economic development efforts as part of the JOBS4TN initiative.  The Southern … Continue reading

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Now that I would store that in the active community department

A story about a community that solved a problem rather than throwing up its hands and blaming someone for it.

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