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.

Bon Aqua, Tennessee

With retail, it usually starts with some magical mix of rooftops, demographics and traffic counts. Communicating that message is tough and has to be multi-channel. One page, old-fashioned “slicks” (so named because they are usually printed on gloss paper) are … Continue reading

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ICSC Idea Exchange

Yesterday and today, I participated in the ICSC Tennessee/Kentucky Idea Exchange. ICSC members include retailers, developers, commercial real estate brokers, public officials and economic development professionals working hard to match the right prospect to the right piece of real estate … Continue reading

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National Banana Pudding Festival

Hickman County will host to the National Banana Pudding Festival on October 2, 2010. If you like old-fashioned banana pudding or just old-fashioned fun, mark your calendar to celebrate comfort food! Location:Hickman County Ag Pavilion979 Grinder’s SwitchCenterville, TN 37033 10:00 … Continue reading

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Happy Independence Day!

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and … Continue reading

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Fourth of July Fireworks at Centerville River Park

If you are looking for a great place to view fireworks tomorrow on Sunday, the Fourth of July, the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce is presenting fireworks and ice cream. The music and fun begins around 6:00pm on July 4th … Continue reading

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Information on college and how to pay for education

I clicked on a great link on the Hickman County Higher Education website today. Whether a high school student off for the summer or an adult thinking about changing their career path, the CollegeForTN website provides a portal to higher … Continue reading

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It’s Tuesday, time for a rambling post

I spend a lot of time in the car and satellite radio is a little luxury that maintains a level of cultural continuity. Today while listening to Public Radio Exchange, I was entertained (and revealed to be a nerd) by … Continue reading

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Quilt Show in Centerville, TN

You are invited to the Quilts… Homeward Bound, Centerville and Hickman County’s 5th quilt documentation show. Each year, quilts are displayed, documented and published in a quilt book. Come see 200 dearly loved, heirloom and contemporary quilts at the First … Continue reading

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Fireworks in Hickman County, the fun kind for a change

If you are looking for a great place to view fireworks on July 4th, the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce is presenting fireworks and ice cream next Sunday, July 4th in celebration of our country’s independence. Our founding fathers brought … Continue reading

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Hickman County on Nashville’s Trace

The Tennessean newspaper’s travel section highlighted Nashville’s Trace, part of Tennessee Dept. of Tourism Trials and Byways program. Nashville’s Trace connects you with Music City, the Natchez Trace Parkway and a lot of the country that made (and is making) … Continue reading

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Finishing on a positive note

Tennessee Department of Revenue recently published May revenue collection data including local sales tax collections, which are good indicators of retail sales. Local sales tax collections for Hickman County in May showed significant positive growth for the second consecutive month.

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Random ramble

Economic development might seem an odd profession. Today was about as good as it gets… over an hour in a hot industrial building and stopping for a gallon of milk and an ice cream treat at the new Dollar General … Continue reading

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Tennessee Trails and Byways

If you are visiting Nashville this summer, take an excursion down the Nashville’s Trace Trail: Backstage to Backroads. One of the loops on this trail (don’t worry, it’s all paved highways), takes you to Hickman County, the birthplace of some … Continue reading

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Latest Federal Reserve survey shows recovery spreads across the country

“Fed survey: recovery spreads across country” documents additional signs of a slow but welcome economic recovery across all Federal Reserve regions.

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How to Ask For Tax Dollars to Market Your Rural Tourism Destination

How to Ask For Tax Dollars to Market Your Rural Tourism Destination has good information on measuring rural tourism benefits and justifying investing in growing the value of your community’s tourism destinations.

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Preparing for the next business disaster

Business disasters can come from fire, hackers, flood, tornado — any disruption to your operations. Planning for disaster to mitigate its impact is as important as strategic planning, marketing plans, etc. PrepareMyBusiness.org looks like a great place to start your … Continue reading

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April Sales Tax Collections Show Improvement

I would expect that Hickman County will take a hit in May due to the flood disruptions, but April local sales tax collections signaled improvement. Hickman County’s local sales tax collections for April were up 8.6% from 2009 and were … Continue reading

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Sign, Sign, everywhere a sign…

Maybe it is the sign overload from the current local political campaigns, but I am tired of all the bad signs – campaigns and businesses are both offenders. I hate the droopy banner signs, unattractive colors, the tilted/slanted/all askew signs, … Continue reading

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Hickman County Working its Way Back

Hickman County continues to recover from the recent flood that brought a federal disaster declaration. People have pulled together and have gotten back to business. Sure, you’ll still see flood damage, but you’ll also see that most business are pretty … Continue reading

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Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Series

Part 3 of the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce’s Customer Service Series will be held on Thursday, May 27th — 8 am at the Hickman County Career Center, 130 Progress Center Plaza in Centerville. The previous 2 sessions have received … Continue reading

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Growing your business through networking

Ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”? Maybe the thing is “what you know about who you’ll know.” To learn how to know more people and create a positive relationship, check out “Build Your … Continue reading

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Grand Opening for Centerville Marketplace

Plenty of flood damage remains, but things are returning to normal in Hickman County. Centerville Marketplace on the Centerville Public Square will be celebrating their Grand Opening on Friday, May 21 from 11:00 to 2:00. Centerville Marketplace is filled with … Continue reading

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Business Recovery Survey (related to flood disaster)

Tennessee Dept. of Economic & Community Development and TEMA are conducting a survey to determine the damages to businesses related to the recent flood and winds. The data collected will be used in our efforts to help Tennessee business recover … Continue reading

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TN Dept of Commerce & Insurance encourages caution in hiring contractors for home repair

Verify licenses of potential home contractors with http://verify.tn.govState provides guidance on selecting contractors NASHVILLE, TN – In light of the historic flooding that has devastated parts of Tennessee, the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is encouraging homeowners to verify … Continue reading

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Flood Recovery Tips from UT Extension

Flood Recovery Tips from UT Extension(and the national network of land grant universities, extension, including the Louisiana State University Ag Center) From flood clean-up and recovery to assistance and relief contacts, this looks like a great resource.

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State to Offer Food and Cash Assistance to Eligible Low Income Flood Victims

State to Offer Food and Cash Assistance to Eligible Low Income Flood Victims

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Small Business Assistance for Flood Recovery

SBA, the Small Business Administration, has a video that walks a business owner affected by a disaster like the flood that hit Hickman County. It details disaster assistance available through SBA to homeowners and businesses. http://training.sba.gov:8000/response SBA also has a … Continue reading

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FEMA in Hickman County

Hickman County’s National Banana Pudding Festival reports on Facebook, “FEMA is here, they have set up a Disaster Response Unit at the Centerville Church of Christ in back in the Outreach Building. Make sure that you call and register with … Continue reading

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Power and information

Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative (MLEC) finished restoring power to the remaining areas of Hickman County last night. Even with the worst flooding ever recorded, MLEC followed the receding floodwater quickly restoring power as soon as possible. Drinking water is available … Continue reading

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More Hickman County Flood Recovery Information

Hickman County Mayor Steve Gregory has established a new and improved Hickman County flood disaster website, http://www.hickmanco.com/ema/disaster2010/ , for local residents, business and other interested parties to find updated information on road conditions, water system status, relief and assistance available … Continue reading

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