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.

One of my opinions on healthcare (tainted by working in the wee hours of the morning)

At this point in the healthcare debate, I wonder if there is any ‘win’ to come out of it. One thing that strikes me as odd when I think about it too much is how we have gravitated to the … Continue reading

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Stimulating conversations

Some communities have been proactive in developing plans that will make accessing the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, Recovery Zone Bonds, establishing Recovery Zones and other American Recovery & Reinvestment Act programs easier for the betterment of their constituencies. … Continue reading

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List Business or Organization with Google

Ruraltourismmarketing.com had a good, easy-to-follow how-to on getting your business listed on Google, which is a free service. “Another FREE, Powerful Tool to Market Your Business or Visitors’ Bureau Online” gives directions on registering with Google, claiming your business, and … Continue reading

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Don’t take our word for it…

I like to read unsolicited stories of visitors to Hickman County having a nice visit. “Great Finds in Centerville” and “Hickman County Quilt Show” were two positive posts from a Nashville blogger.

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Tennessee Workers’ Comp

A story in today’s The Tennessean newspaper reports that small contractors previously exempt from the workers’ compensation insurance requirement will be required to acquire the insurance coverage, even sole proprietors staffed only by the owner, when legislation passed by the … Continue reading

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Rural Communities aren’t All the Same

Having looked closely at several towns lately, I thought the blog post, “Rural, Not Homogeneous” from the Center for Rural Affairs, was particularly insightful for those of us considering moving to or recruiting people to a community.

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Rural Brain Drain or the Drain in Brains ain’t mainly on the Plain

I finished the new book, Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What it Means for America, and I’m finally getting around to the book report. There are a lot of hard truths in the book, some of … Continue reading

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Higher Education for the Brains that Remain

I spent some time today checking for broken links and updating our http://www.highereducation.hickmantn.org/ website. This website lists area colleges, universities, technology centers, career training programs, and other higher education institutions that serve our area. In addition, the site provides links … Continue reading

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Eco ‘Green’ can also mean $$’Green’ for Business

100 Green Small Business Tips

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Join Us in Honoring Veterans on Veteran’s Day

Hickman County’s Veteran’s Day Observance on November 11th at 11:00 am on the Centerville Public Square will feature an address by Colonel Michael Peterman. This Veteran’s Day in Hickman County will have special significance with the return a few weeks … Continue reading

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Basic Economic Development Course

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Institute for Economic Advancement will be conducting their Mid-South Basic Economic Development Course on March 15-18, 2010. The basic course is one of the courses required to sit for the International Economic Development … Continue reading

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Day trips, rural experiences

It was great to host Joanne Steele from California last week in Hickman County, Tennessee and to talk about what my organization, the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses do to promote rural tourism. It was even more … Continue reading

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Hickman County Archives now has a Certified Archive Manager

Hickman County Archivist Austin Bullock was one of nine archivists from around Tennessee who were presented with certificates from Secretary of State Tre Hargett in recognition of their achievements in becoming Certified Archive Managers.The individuals were presented the certificates during … Continue reading

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Book Report due on Friday

I began reading a book titled Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What it Means for America this weekend. The research for the book was centered on Northeast Iowa, but there are a lot of similarities between … Continue reading

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My competitor is a big river in South America?

An article today in the New York Times began, “Amazon.com shares surged Thursday after the company said its third-quarter profit soared 62 percent, showing that consumers are comfortable opening their wallets to the online retailer despite the still-shaky economy.” Next … Continue reading

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Saving Energy and Money… and cozy this winter

Funded through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Tennessee Department of Human Services is administering the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which helps low-income households reduce energy costs by providing assistance to weatherize their homes.WAP services are available in all … Continue reading

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Facebook Facts: friends, fans, no foes

I started using Facebook over a year ago. However, I was afraid that the personal posts from ‘facebook friends’ would dilute any business message I was trying to achieve. After, reading the blog post from Reimagine Rural, “Facebook: Friend and … Continue reading

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2009 Governor’s Housing Summit

I will be attending the 2009 Governor’s Housing Summit today and tomorrow. Organized by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, the Housing Summit focuses on adequate, affordable housing in our dynamic economy. Plenary sessions and workshops will concentrate on success stories, … Continue reading

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If you don’t want to use broadband, you’re not reading this

Sometimes I forget that not everyone has my focus (or for that matter any focus at all.) Take my advocacy for more broadband access and technology utilization. At a meeting a while back, I was talking about ideas to increase … Continue reading

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Print this and share with an unconnected business

I was reading the Connected Tennessee: Ahead of the Curve 2009-2010 Progress Report today. Of particular interest to me was the business section. According to the report, broadband adoption by Tennessee business increased 22% from July 2007 to January 2009. … Continue reading

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Tasty Food and great scores, too!

I thought this was noteworthy — I stopped at the Yesterdaze Pinball Museum & Snack Shack in Bucksnort I-40 Exit 152 yesterday afternoon for a milkshake and had a sandwich from Subway in Centerville today. I knew there were many … Continue reading

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Say your lines and don’t trip over the furniture

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts… William Shakespeare Sometimes I play the fool, but most days I … Continue reading

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Dow Hits 10,000 again

The Dow goes over 10,000… (cue cautious optimism music)

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"But screw your courage to the sticking place, And we’ll not fail!" — Lady McBeth

Today, I attended a session for Nashville area CEOs at the Center for Non-profit Management called Playing Shakespeare, a sample of Nashville Shakespeare’s Festival‘s Shakespeare in Business workshops. The play’s the thing for improving public speaking skills as well as … Continue reading

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At least it’s fresh…

I just read that 94% of all blogs have not been updated in the last four months. At a recent conference, a website and social media session presenter has only 7 followers and had made 10 tweets. So, this blog … Continue reading

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Winds of Change

At least once a week, I hike a trail in a park near our home. A tree along the last mile bears the evidence of where people over the years have left their mark. When I pass, I wonder if … Continue reading

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Books and Festival Food… Isn’t This Paradise?

I am about to head downtown to Nashville’s Southern Festival of Books, just a short drive from Hickman County. Authors and booksellers from all over the country will be there to join in “a celebration of the written word.” I … Continue reading

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More Marketing Resources for Rural Business

Thanks to a Tweet from Becky McCray of the SmallBizSurvival blog, I found another great resource for rural tourism business marketing. The RuralTourismMarketing.com blog contains information on rural tourism — for businesses, for local chambers of commerce, and for economic … Continue reading

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Politics & Professional Development

I just made it home after a windy, but scenic drive from Kingsport, Tennessee where I attended the Tennessee Economic Development Council (TEDC) Fall Conference. One of the features of this conference was a brief speech and question & answer … Continue reading

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Competition to showcase your entrepreneurial venture

Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development launched an entrepreneur video competition, “What Makes You an Entrepreneur?” A statewide competition, entries will be taken until November 8th. This could provide some great exposure for your business. For more information, go … Continue reading

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