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.

Happy Pi day!!!

Happy Pi Day!!! (March 14th, 3/14, the day to celebrate Pi (3.1415926535…), an irrational number.)

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Business Succession Planning

You’ve heard that saying, “All good things must come to an end.”  That end for a business or organization can be as a result of retirement, passing to another generation, moving on to new adventures or less pleasant disruptions one … Continue reading

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Resources for Business in Cheatham County, Tennessee 2017

It is that time of year, my getting around to updating and improving community economic development resources that I didn’t get to during that holiday lull that inevitably never happens.  The thing this time is an update to the Resources … Continue reading

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Economic Development Training for Local Leaders

No, Cheatham County is not part of the area served by the Delta Regional Authority, but several counties in southwest Tennessee are.  The following information may be of interest as workshops will be held in all 8 states in the DRA … Continue reading

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Nashville area ranks as one of the best places to live

The Nashville metro area, which includes Cheatham County, was just ranked 13th in the “Best Places to Live” by U.S. New & World Report magazine.  Read about what puts the Nashville area on the list of best places on the … Continue reading

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Cheatham County, Tennessee Development and Permitting Informational Guide

Well, I know it won’t make any best seller list (because it is FREE to download on our website), but I recently finished a concise book Cheatham County, Tennessee Development and Permitting Informational Guide, which contains information about where to go and who to … Continue reading

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Prepare to be Googled

I had a conversation a few days ago with an economic development professional about using technology to promote our communities and to help our businesses connect to customers.  She reminded me of an important point — it is not so … Continue reading

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2017 Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development

Economic development professionals, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials (including some from Cheatham County) will be attending the 64th Annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development on October 26th and 27th, 2017 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center … Continue reading

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Business disaster planning creates community economic resiliency

In my blog post yesterday, I talked about the fact that the Nashville, TN MSA, which includes Cheatham County, had a high ranking of resilience capacity.  One factor of resiliency, disaster preparedness, is something that has been on my radar … Continue reading

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Cheatham County Region Resilience: ready for economic stress

The Nashville/Davidson County Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), a region that Cheatham County, Tennessee is very much a part, ranks high in resilience capacity (ability to bounce back from economic stress) according to the Institute of Govermental Studies at University of … Continue reading

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2017 Tennessee Rural Development Conference

The 22nd annual Tennessee Rural Development Conference will be held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on March 22nd and 23rd.  The theme is “Rural Renaissance.” Hosted by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), USDA Rural Development (USDA RD), and Tennessee Department of Economic and … Continue reading

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Strike a pose…

I was just on the website for Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and there was my photograph showing off my pride in supporting #TeamTN and Cheatham County, Tennessee in economic and community development.  To view a larger version of … Continue reading

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More additional direct flights from Nashville International Airport

This week, Nashville International Airport announced more direct flights by Southwest Airlines.  In addition to more flights to and from Dallas, St. Louis, San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale, Southwest will begin direct flight to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in … Continue reading

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Happy New Year!!!

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!

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George Bailey, Economic Developer

This Christmas Eve, we will watch the holiday movie, It’s a Wonderful Life on the big screen at the renovated Belcourt Theatre.  I am always reminded (and I’m sure that my wife is tired of my talking about it) that this movie … Continue reading

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No one goes downtown anymore, it’s too crowded

As we near the last couple of shopping days before Christmas, this verse of the song of the season Silver Bells came to mind: City sidewalks, busy sidewalks Dressed in holiday style In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas Children … Continue reading

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Mechatronics Program to Improve Cheatham’s Manufacturing Skills

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced that the Cheatham County School District will share in a $400,000 grant through the Labor Education Alignment Program (LEAP). The grant will allow the school district to fund the equipment and training needed … Continue reading

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IEDC 2016 Annual Conference

I will be leaving Tennessee on Friday of next week to participate in the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) conference.  IEDC will convene its 2016 Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio on September 24th-28th.  Around 1,500 economic development professionals from around the world … Continue reading

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Cheatham County tourism up, travel expenditures increased 4.5% in 2015

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett today announced Tennessee tourism’s direct domestic and international travel expenditures reached an all-time high of $18.4 billion in 2015, up 3.7% over the previous year, as reported by … Continue reading

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Places to Dove Hunt in Cheatham County / Nashville Area 2016

Dove season opens September 1st at Noon and runs to September 28th.  The season later runs from October 8th to October 30th and from December 8th to January 15th. More information on dove hunting in Tennessee can be found on … Continue reading

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Cheatham County approves standard business incentives

The Cheatham County Commission approved unanimously an business incentive package developed by the Industrial Development Board of Cheatham County (IDB).  Developed with assistance from the Cheatham County Joint Economic & Community Development Board and the Cheatham County Chamber of Commerce, … Continue reading

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2016 Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development

Economic development professionals, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials (including some from Cheatham County) will be attending the 63rd Annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development on October 27th and 28th, 2016 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in … Continue reading

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Happy Independence Day!!!!

Wishing you a safe and happy celebration of the 4th of July!

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Learn about tuition assistance for Tennessee adults

Tennessee Reconnect and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology will be hosting TCAT Scholarship Saturday on April 2, 2016 from 10:00 to 2:00 o’clock at most of the TCAT locations.  This is an opportunity to learn about the Tennessee Reconnect … Continue reading

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Happy Pi Day 2016!!

Happy Pi Day!!! (March 14th, 3/14, the day to celebrate Pi (3.1415926535…), an irrational number.)

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2016 Tennessee Rural Development Conference

The 21st annual Tennessee Rural Development Conference will be held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on March 29th and 30th.  The theme is “Rural Communities: Preparing for a Sustainable Future.” Check out the great lineup of speakers and I hope to see … Continue reading

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Cheatham County Industrial Park earns AT&T Fiber Ready designation

As part of AT&T’s continuing efforts to drive economic development and investment in Tennessee, company representatives, elected officials and members of the Cheatham County Joint Economic and Community Development Board announced on February 26, 2016 that the Cheatham County Industrial … Continue reading

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Broadband Access Survey

Due to the importance of this initiative in our expanding broadband availability and technology utilization, I would like to remind everyone in Tennessee to complete the Statewide  Assessment of Broadband Access and Usage in Tennessee. Tennessee Department of Economic and … Continue reading

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Space Odyssey

This article from Bangor Daily News contains a lot of the issues of small town and downtown parking issues.  To me, it is a no brainer that business owners and their employees should not take parking spaces that could be filled by … Continue reading

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