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.

We’re one person at a non-profit corporation and we’re here to help business…

The Hickman County entrepreneurship class conducted by Columbia State Community College had its second and third sessions last week. Thursday night while they were meeting, I had a chance to work on updating Hickman County Economic Development’s Starting & Operating … Continue reading

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Atlas Hugged

Okay, it is a little strange that I learned about the Atlas of Rural and Small Town America in Canada from “New Online Atlas of Rural America“. USDA Economic Research Service released this tool this month making it easier to … Continue reading

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Basic Economic Development Course to be offered

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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Fish Camp Restaurant

Fish Camp Restaurant in Centerville, Tennessee reopened a few weeks ago. The building was destroyed during the May 2010 floods that hit Hickman County and Middle Tennessee. Kim and Troy have rebuilt a beautiful facility and the food, service and … Continue reading

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Tennessee Dept. of Economic & Community Development to be more effective and efficient

“Bill Hagerty to review Economic and Community Develop Commission” – Tennessean.com Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty says he’s reviewing the agency’s organizational structure. In recent speeches, he said it will be a “top-to-bottom” evaluation over the next 45 … Continue reading

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Growing grocers, embracing entrepreneurs

Some rural communities ask why won’t someone come in and start a business. Some communities support and develop local entrepreneurs like America’s youngest grocer. Maybe we’ve lost that last generation off the family farm or we overly celebrated those good … Continue reading

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Governor Haslam on Education and Job Growth

Governor Haslam speaks about Tennessee education and job growth:

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The things we do for love (of high speed internet and technology)

“Technology Can Help Make Valentine’s Day Extra Special“ By Mandy HaleConnected Nation: The Blog

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Searching for green jobs

“Advice for Green Job Searchers“

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Introspection on Innovation

“When Factories Vanish, So Can Innovators,” NYTimes.com “We want those factory jobs back that we’ve lost,” is a statement I hear a lot that I am reminded of in reading the above article. The article talks about ‘innovators’ in the … Continue reading

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You can teach an old dog a new ‘tweet’

In “Teens Take Elders to Tech Boot Camp” on WSJ.com, there is a discussion of the generational divide in technology utilization and how it is being bridged. Back a decade ago, I taught a few continuing education computer classes and … Continue reading

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Lord, I was born a rambling man, trying to make a living and doing the best I can…

According to the Tennessee Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR), 60% of Hickman County’s labor force works outside the county. A fact often overlooked, 19% of the jobs in Hickman County are filled by people who live outside the county. … Continue reading

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Broadening broadband

“President Obama Details Plan to Win the Future through Expanded Wireless Access“Initiative expands wireless coverage to 98% of Americans, reduces deficit by nearly $10 billion, invests in nationwide public safety network This initiative recognizes how important broadband access and technology … Continue reading

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A part of the National Broadband Plan

“FCC USF Reform Supports Fixed, Mobile Broadband” – Wireless Week The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) decided Tuesday to refocus its $8.7 billion Universal Service Fund (USF), a move long awaited by advocates of improved rural broadband. The FCC’s restructure of … Continue reading

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Living within some better means

“TN general fund revenues could be $162 million more than expected, board says” — From Tennessean.com: The State Funding Board projected today that Tennessee’s general fund revenues could end up to $162 million more than originally expected in the current … Continue reading

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Revs up?

“TN Funding Board remains cautious despite forecast of economic growth” – Tennessean.com “Sitting in that meeting [of the Funding Board] today was a little bit encouraging, to see the revenues are coming up. We’re still going to have to make … Continue reading

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2010 Titans Community Quarterback (and he’d make a pretty good lineman too)

The Tennessee Titans, Nashville’s NFL team, recently awarded John Blackburn of the Hickman County Long Term Recovery Committee its 2010 Titans Community Quarterback Award. The Tennessee Titans Community Quarterback Award program recognizes outstanding volunteers of nonprofit organizations from across the … Continue reading

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Small Towns and Rural Economic Development

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam promises to bring a new focus to the economic development of rural Tennessee. “The Small Towns and Rural Economic Development Director within ECD will work with rural communities across the state to offer support, help develop … Continue reading

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Read chapter 53 before next class and be ready to discuss

I was doing a little preparation today for a presentation about economic and community development to the Leadership Hickman class next week. I would bet that there are at least ten people in the county who haven’t read what industrial … Continue reading

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Well, you could find it here…

Bon Aqua, Tennessee’s Diamond Gusset Jeans and their all American made products are involved with Mark Wills’ new recording “Looking for America”. Check it out at their Looking for America web page.

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I was a freshman in college then – glad someone remembers 1983…

“From 1983, Hints of Strong Job Growth in 2011” – The New York Times

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Cell Service Signal Supersizable?

I have had a spurt of people complaining to me about internet access and cell phone coverage lately. A combination of terrain and ROI economic issues do create coverage challenges in the rural areas where I do work. I don’t … Continue reading

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Proactive Leadership? Research? Change? Adapt? In which aisle can we find that?

From “Are Rural Grocery Stores Facing Extinction?” in The Rurban Fringe: But with proactive leadership, a little research into the shopping preferences of local residents, and identification of related resources which may be available to communities and community groups, the … Continue reading

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Lies, damn lies and then there are statistics…

According to data from Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, the Hickman County Labor Force grew 2.0% from 2007 to 2010 while the total Tennessee Labor Force grew by only 0.5%. Employment for Hickman County contracted at the same … Continue reading

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Creating Creative Class Climate Change?

Talent attraction for rural communities and how it’s different than urban areas. Hickman County is quite attractive in it’s rural beauty and proximity to the urban amenities that Nashville offers. We work on trying to get people to visit places … Continue reading

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Classes on Starting and Running a Business

We are seeking high and low for people in Hickman County who want to learn about improving their potential as entreprenuers. Columbia State Community College has developed the content and they would run 9 sessions beginning on February 8th and … Continue reading

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All my Exes live in Nexus or It makes perfect sense to me. Sometimes when I’m in the office, I’m not really IN the office.

RE: “Amazon trying to dodge TN sales taxes” on Nashville Business JournalOkay, not sure how this is going to play out, but it brings up a lot of issues. It took a while to get mind around this as some … Continue reading

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Hope for Help on High-speed

Arik Hesseldahl reports on “Obama Wants a Wireless Broadband Network for Everyone” about a goal to finally bring broadband to more people, allowing rural America to reap the benefits of technology utilization. Local rural governments commonly lack the resources, technology … Continue reading

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Loves Labor’s Laws? Wasn’t that a Shakespeare play? Laws, Laws

The U.S. Department of Labor has a new website to help small business understand rights and responsibilities under federal employment laws. www.dol.gov/elaws/

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Rural Renewal

In rural economic development, one must have a long, wide streak of optimism. Giving merit to rural optimism is a changing of the guard on the state level with the new administration. Governor Bill Haslam promises to bring a renewed … Continue reading

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