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.

PR about QR

I will be speaking about using technology in economic development during the Ignite IEDC session of the 2012 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Leadership Summit in San Antonio on January 30th.  Specifically, I will speak about how economic development professionals … Continue reading

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If you fail to prepare, you should prepare to fail

Keeping a good quality workforce will continue to be a focus for economic development professionals.  One way for high school students to get out of high school prepared for college or the workforce is to be able to score well … Continue reading

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Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic Development 2012

The date for the 2012 Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development was announced for October 18-19, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee.  Governor Haslam’s first economic and community development conference this year provided local communities and stakeholders with much helpful … Continue reading

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Exports Important

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty led an announcement today on new Tennessee initiative to increase state exports. The program is called TNTrade and it is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses grow their … Continue reading

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Posted by a PC person

“THE COUNTRY’S PROBLEM IN A NUTSHELL: Apple’s Huge New Data Center In North  Carolina Created Only 50 Jobs” Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-new-data-center-north-carolina-created-50-jobs-2011-11#ixzz1fiqC7ZTs

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Everyone loves a parade, the East Hickman Christmas Parade

The East Hickman Christmas Parade will be held on Highway 100 in Bon Aqua, TN on Sunday, December 11, 2011 beginning at 2:00p.m.  The parade travels from East Elementary School to the intersection of SR 46, SR 100 and SR 7.  … Continue reading

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Everyone loves a parade, especially the Centerville Christmas Parade

The Centerville, Tennessee Christmas Parade will be held Saturday December 3, 2011 beginning at 6:30p.m.  If that won’t help you find your holiday spirit, bah humbug! Here is a video of the 2009 Christmas Parade (back when the parade was held on … Continue reading

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving Day with lots to be thankful for.

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‘Shop Small’ on Small Business Saturday

Shop Small at small businesses during Small Business Saturday this Saturday to help out local, as in Hickman County, businesses.  (Facebook page)  On Black Friday (and the following Saturday, Sunday, Cyber Monday, etc.), shop local to help you, the customer, find … Continue reading

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Centerville and Santa will have a big Christmas event on December 2nd

The Hickman County Chamber of Commerce will host an open house, tree lighting and downtown shopping event on Friday, December 2nd beginning at 5:00p.m. (not that there won’t be a lot of happy holiday experiences other times.)  Santa Claus will be there … Continue reading

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A building near Nashville with thousands of square feet of potential

The Skyview Building in Centerville, Tennessee near Nashville has nearly 114,000 square feet of floor space that can be used for light manufacturing, warehousing, distribution or we invite you to come up with your own use (call center, recreation, auto … Continue reading

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Works better than wishing?

I just read a useful article titled “Community-Based Rural Redevelopment through Simple, Local Actions: Been Down so Long it Looks Like Up to Me,” by Joanne Steele in the  Fall 2011 edition of Bridges, a publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of … Continue reading

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There are fun things to do in rural communities

This is video of the 1st annual Halloween Parade held in Centerville, Tennessee this year:

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Happy Veterans Day

Time time today to honor the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans.  There will be the annual Veterans Day observance on the Centerville, Tennessee public square at 11:00am. Every morning when I tie my tie, I do it like my … Continue reading

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Fan to the Opera

Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, moved into the 1960’s and directed by Gayle Shay, will be performed Friday, November 11th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 13th at 2:00 p.m. at Vanderbilt University’s Ingram Hall.  For a preview, check out ArtNowNashville.com, … Continue reading

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Invitational Basketball Tournament

I looked at Jerry Garcia Christmas neckties at Macy’s today, so it’s not too early to start planning a trip to the 2011 Hickman County Above the Rim Christmas Invitational Basketball Tournament held on December 28th, 29th and 30th at Hickman County … Continue reading

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Something to discuss and work on in our groups

More civic engagement creates a more economically resilient and prosperous community?  Sure it does.  We see that, but this report, Can Volunteering Help Us Weather Tough Economic Times?,  puts some numbers to how much volunteering, voting, attending meetings and becoming … Continue reading

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More broadband adoption statistics

Connected Nation has released recent data on broadband adoption in the United States and at the state level, including Tennessee.  It shows we’ve made some progress, but it is still an uphill battle to keep from sliding further down a … Continue reading

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High speed usage comes quickly

Connected Tennessee releases new research on Tennessee broadband: Broadband Adoption Surges Among Connected Tennessee Target Groups.

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Great offer from Comcast on Internet Access for Families with Students

Comcast is offering internet access to low-income families with children in school.  If you have at least one child in the free lunch program and are in an area such as the East Hickman community that is served by Comcast, … Continue reading

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Font Fun Fact: I know about typography because Steve Jobs took a class at Reed College.

I heard this 2005 Stanford University commencement speech by Steve Jobs on the radio this afternoon.  An impressive speech, but I was especially moved by the story about his education.  I know some people will hear only that one does not need a college education to succeed (which … Continue reading

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Governor Bill Haslam presents Three-Star Award to Hickman County, Tennessee

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty announced today that Hickman County has achieved certification under the state’s Three-Star program for excellence in economic development. “Our goal is to create a business friendly climate that … Continue reading

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Fast Facts for Facing Facebook Fears

Joanne Steele on her RuralTourismMarketing.com blog helps small business make sense of the new iteration of Facebook with the latest post, The New Facebook – A Quick Overview for Small Business .

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Frank Franchise Facts

Franchises can be a great way to get into a business.  They provide a model to become successful.  However, just like any business, you need to do your research and develop your own business plan.  SBA, the Small Business Administration, … Continue reading

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Banana Pudding, Cars, Quilts, Crafts just down I-40 from Nashville

The weather will be great so take off to the 2nd annual National Banana Pudding Festival, which will be held tomorrow, Saturday October 1, 2011 in Centerville, Tennessee. Their website has all the info on planning a trip to see … Continue reading

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Helpful how-to videos for small business

Have a question about federal taxes and your small business?  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a website full of videos to answer your questions and to help you understand taxes related to your business and how to properly file … Continue reading

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Skilled labor for future production needs

Diamond Gusset‘s David Hall comments on the need for skilled labor to maintain United States manufacturing on www.centerforamerica.org .

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Startup Tennessee Starting to Steam toward Success

Startup Tennessee is a new initiative to support entrepreneurship in Tennessee.

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Hickman County Earns Economic Development Award

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty announced today that Hickman County has achieved certification under the state’s Three-Star program for excellence in economic development. “Our goal is to create a business friendly climate that … Continue reading

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National Banana Pudding Festival October 1 in Centerville, TN

The 2nd annual National Banana Pudding Festival will return to the Hickman County Ag Pavilion on October 1, 2011.  For information on last year’s inaugural event, check out this story that appeared on WNPT’s Tennessee Crossroads.

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