Author Archives: Daryl Phillips, CEcD

In today’s article “Retailers See Holiday Sales Rebound From Grim 2008“, The New York Times reports that retail sales rebounded significantly from the dismal 2008 numbers. In other reports, online sales had even higher gains — another sign that retail … Continue reading →

I just skimmed the highlights, but this report from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them: Myths and Realities About Why So Many Students Fail to Finish College, looks interesting for those communities that … Continue reading →

“Eight Steps to a Better Year in 2010” in The New York Times business section lists some items for entrepreneurs to think about in this new and hopefully happy new year.

Location decisions for retail and industrial prospects will become more straightforward as communities pull back from incentives and assistance that bring companies and jobs. This article, “Cities, counties take back corporate tax breaks“, informs of communities that hold companies to … Continue reading →

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

As 2009 winds down, I am taking some time to enjoy some of the post season bowl games. I really enjoy the smaller bowls (such as the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl yesterday) with their underdog teams on the way toward rebuilding … Continue reading →

Tennessee was recently approved for a grant of $1.8 million in federal funding for broadband mapping and planning in an effort to increase the availability and use of high-speed Internet service in the state. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act … Continue reading →

Reports such as Newschannel5’s “Retailers Make Comeback, Holiday Sales Jump” show a positive trend and another our small business should note. Preliminary data show retail sales jumped 4% during the holiday season. Online shopping was reported to have risen 15 … Continue reading →

Back at work today and it was quiet — I great time to work on end of month, end of quarter, and end of calendar year stuff. Just think, ten years ago, we were all worried about Y2K and that … Continue reading →

The First Farmers & Merchants Bank Christmas Invitational Basketball Tournament begins today at the Hickman County High School gym for games on December 28, 29, and 30. Tennessee high school teams Ensworth, Forrest, Dickson Co., Marshall Co., Shelbyville, CPA, Hickman … Continue reading →

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch … Continue reading →

From A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: “This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all, beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is … Continue reading →

It can get hectic during the holiday season as we are dealing with a cornucopia of activities like finishing up projects, planning next year, analyzing and reporting for this year, and doing those special holiday things…. not to mention our … Continue reading →

This just seems to be shaping up to be a nice holiday season. There were some things that were taking a lot of my time that fell through when the commission decided to send us on a different path. Other … Continue reading →

A short Sunday drive can take you to the Beacon Light Tea Room with its ham and biscuits, fried chicken and other great meals. For those with the Christmas spirit or are looking to find it, the East Hickman Christmas … Continue reading →

“Green Acres Is the Place to Be: The Recession Is Inspiring More Young Families and Singles to Head Back to the Country” from The Wall Street Journal tells of a developing trend in rural development. Enabled by expanded broadband access … Continue reading →