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.

Another CEcD in Tennessee

Congratulations to friend and fellow economic development professional Clay Walker, CEcD on earning the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Clay is the Executive Director of the Gallatin Economic Development Agency and his accomplishment … Continue reading

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Happy Belated Pi Day!

Well, I missed it, but National Pi Day was last week, on 3/14. Pi is mathematical constant that is an irrational number with a value of approximately 3.14159265 (which rounds to 3.14, hence March 14th for Pi Day.) Anything that … Continue reading

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Latest update from Governor Haslam related to education and job creation

Latest update from Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam related to education and job creation:

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Are we ready for the speed of business?

I read an article in The New York Times today about the effect of the earthquake and related tragedies in Japan on the global supply chain (“Stress Test for the Global Supply Chain“.) It really brought home how we are … Continue reading

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The interactive, graphic way to view U.S. Census data for Tennessee

A way cool way to look at U.S. Census numbers for Tennessee, Hickman County and the other counties in Tennessee: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/

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More people

2010 U.S. Census numbers are out. Hickman County’s population grew 10.7% during the decade, from 22,295 in 2000 to 24,690 in 2010.

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Be not afraid of business success: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them

“Entrepreneurship: A Look at the Nature-Nurture Debate” on WSJ.com explores whether entrepreneurs are born for business or whether entrepreneurship is something that anyone can learn. Either way, Hickman County tries to provide support to the natured, nurtured or anyone else … Continue reading

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Tennessee Governor’s State of the State Address highlights: Making Tennessee the number one place to live, work and play.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam delivered his first State of the State Address to the Tennessee General Assembly and to the rest of Tennessee last night. To hear highlights about our stable state and its bright future, view this clip:

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Transformation from a center of justice to a center of art, culture and learning

I participated in a meeting tonight related to the latest component of the downtown Centerville revitalization. Like many things worthwhile, the downtown Centerville project hasn’t been built in a day. Sidewalks, traffic flow and some streetscape issues have been addressed. … Continue reading

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Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course to be held in May

Registration Underway for State Economic Development Course The University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service (IPS) is once again sponsoring the Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course (TBEDC) for regional, state and federal community leaders and stakeholders. The 5th annual course … Continue reading

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Yes, but it requires a 100% match

The answer to most of those “can’t we just get a grant to fund that?” questions in the future: Rural Development Funding Cuts Are Coming to the Chopping Block Near You And Why You Should Care” from RuralTourismMarketing.com.

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Well, it’s not really the heat – it’s the humidity..

The article, “Wyoming Plays it Cool” at WSJ.com touches on a couple of issues related to Hickman County and other rural areas. Site selection and industrial recruitment has to take into account the finite requirements of prospective industry such as … Continue reading

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Site Selection and Location Analysis…. now, where did I put that book?

I am reading an interesting book by Frank Raeon titled The A B C’s of Site Selection. For retail and restaurant businesses, developers, real estate people and economic development professionals, the recently published book has a lot of great information … Continue reading

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Education improvement is on our minds

Hickman County’s Tennessee State Senator Jim Summerville speaks to the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce: “Education reform on Sen. Summerville’s mind this year” – The Tennessean. One of the bills Senator Summerville introduced, SB1343, would end the Tennessee Lottery, which … Continue reading

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There’s no business like grow’n business…

I haven’t been home long from the latest Hickman County Entrepreneurship class. The group has one more class left of the nine session series conducted by Columbia State Community College and sponsored by the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance. For … Continue reading

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Attracting group tours to your small town

“Attracting group tours to your small town” from the Small Biz Survival blog has lots of ideas about attracting tour groups and giving them a great rural experience they will tell their friends about.

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Business Taxes for the Self-Employed: The Basics webinar

Internal Revenue Service WebinarBusiness Taxes for the Self-Employed: The BasicsPresented by the Internal Revenue ServiceDate: Tuesday March 29, 2011, 1:00p.m. This FREE webinar is for: * Small Businesses* Self-employed persons* Independent contractors* Tax Professionals Learn the basics about: * Reporting … Continue reading

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Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away

Centerville, TN Municipal Airport will be hosting a Fly-In on April 9th. Flyincalendar.com has more details on its calendar. Or, you can check out Centerville Municipal Airport (GHM) on its Facebook page. A piece of air mail from Centerville, Tennessee … Continue reading

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Grants for Rural Development in Decline | Daily Yonder | Keep It Rural

Grants for Rural Development in Decline Daily Yonder Keep It Rural

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Howdy from Hickman

One thing we should think about in rural economic development is how welcoming we are as a community. We want to attract business, but how sincere is our “Howdy, y’all come in!”? Unfortunately, there are many people communicating that (politicians, … Continue reading

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The Kids are Alright, but will they be rural residents or city slickers?

USDA Rural Development has been an important tool used in Hickman County and other rural areas’ economic and community development. Daily Yonder’s post, “Define Rural before You Budget for It“, discusses how funding cuts and changing of the definition of … Continue reading

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The Social Network

This is my 670th blog post. A little over 3 1/2 years ago, I began this blog with the post, “Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association“. That was less than a year after Facebook was opened to everyone. Less … Continue reading

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True Grit (used on stonewashed jeans)

Diamond Gusset Jeans located in beautiful Hickman County literally put Bon Aqua, Tennessee on the map… ABC News – Made in America map, to be specific.

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The Governor’s Speech

Governor Haslam’s latest YouTube update:

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Learn from your own mistakes? It’s cheaper to learn from others’!

Survey tells of most common errors by Entrepreneurs: “Start-up Survey: Mistakes were made” – Wall Street Journal .

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SoMe or not SoMe? That is the question.

Does social media work for economic development? The post on the Burghard Group’s Strengthening Brand America blog, “Is Your Potential Capital Investor Participating in Social Media?” says not very much. I would agree. However, I sometimes feel 95% of everything … Continue reading

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Cuts we wanted…

H.R. 1, the U.S. House of Representatives FY2011 Continuing Resolution funding bill, contains funding cuts that would effectively end as we know them the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs. WIA programs have helped increase the skill levels of local workforces … Continue reading

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Uploaded update by Governor Haslam

Governor Haslam speaks about his jobs creation legislative package, visits to Chattanooga and Memphis and future regional economic development focus. Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty comments on leveraging recent economic development successes to bring future … Continue reading

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Rooftops, Traffic Counts and How May We Assist You?

“Middle Tennessee communities offer economic incentives to lure retailers” in The Nashville Business Journal (requires a subscription to view the complete article) includes information on how some of our neighbors are putting their money where their job creators and local … Continue reading

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Beam me up, Scotty! (if you can get a connection)

“Digital Age Is Slow to Arrive in Rural America” in The New York Times tells about how high speed internet does not reach everyone in America in an age where we are told we must use technology to be competitive. … Continue reading

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