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.

Tennessee Economic Development Council Fall Conference

I am attending the Tennessee Economic Development Council Fall Conference, which began today. I am sure that we will all benefit from the seminars and networking from Tennessee’s organization of economic development professionals. Also, participation counts toward my recertification as … Continue reading

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Still time to see a great performance

The reviews are in for the Tennessee Repertory Theatre’s Steel Magnolias mentioned in one of my previous posts. No, not my review – I and my entourage will be there next week. The Tennessean newspaper’s entertainment critic had this review, … Continue reading

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Stories for Startling Start-up

I bought a copy yesterday, but Entrepreneur magazine has a lot of great business start-up information, from ideas, to business plans, to franchises on its website. To check it out, go to their start-up basics page.

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Steel Magnolias, Live on Stage

Tennessee Repertory Theatre’s production of Steel Magnolias premieres at TPAC in Nashville tomorrow night and runs from October 3rd to October 24th. My wife and I have been season subscribers for a good chunk of their 25 years and Tennessee … Continue reading

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Mad Men to SoMe Men (and women)

In the post about social media strategy on Reimagine Rural titled “Social Media: Are you still a doubter“, Michael Gass was quoted, “The next 5 years will hold more change for the advertising industry than the previous 50 did.” I’m … Continue reading

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Hot Rods and Cool Quilts

This Saturday, October 3rd, has some variety in store for you to visit in downtown Centerville, Tennessee. The Centerville in the Fall Car Show will be held at the Hickman County Justice Center. A couple of blocks away, you’ll find … Continue reading

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Bad News and let’s-call-it-good-news in retail sales

The bad news — local sales tax collections* in Hickman County for last month (August) were down 2% from August 2008 ($181,430.29 and $185,235.74, respectively.) The silver lining in this gray cloud — compared to August 2007, last month’s collections … Continue reading

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South of Broadband (High Speed Internet speeds up)

Being involved in advocating more broadband availability and technology adoption in Hickman County for the past two and a half years, it all seems slow and at times a little lonely. At the impending change in season , it is … Continue reading

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From iTunes: the new Pearl Jam and Business School

I was doing some research today on a project and I was reminded of a resource that is now easier to use. The new iTunes 9 has a lot of information, much of it free, under its iTunes U section. … Continue reading

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Doing their homework

I compiled a demographic profile, market research report and a traffic count map for an entrepreneur looking for a site yesterday. It seems that similar requests from entrepreneurs and realtors have picked up a little lately — it’s either a … Continue reading

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Fresh Tech from Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Technological University has a new, improved website. Check out Tennessee Tech at www.tntech.edu .

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Hickman County Earns Three-Star Certification

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber announced that Hickman County has achieved certification under the state’s Three-Star program for excellence in economic development. “The Three-Star designation is the result of a great deal … Continue reading

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Social Media Use in Economic Development

Do economic development professionals use social media? Survey says… DCI and IEDC conducted a survey of economic development experts on whether they use social media like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, etc. and how they use it. Survey says… Check out … Continue reading

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Towns building entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurs building towns

I read the article , “The Towns that Build Entrepreneurs“, with interest, which was mentioned in the IEDC Economic Development Now newsletter. I think part of the secret is finding what sparks that entrepreneurial spirit in people. Maybe it is … Continue reading

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Rural Broadband: I need it to search Wikipedia for "multinomial logistic regression"

The United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA ERS) recently released a report, Broadband Internet’s Value for Rural America, that you might find interesting. “As broadband—or high-speed—Internet use has spread, Internet applications requiring high transmission speeds have become … Continue reading

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SoMe might be Sceptical, but Social Media can help Small Business

Whether you are a small business looking to take advantage of social media (SoMe, if you want to sound informed) or you think that social media won’t help your business, Let’s Talk – Social Media for Small Business is for … Continue reading

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Basic Economic Development Course in March

If you are planning your professional development for the year and are looking for an IEDC accredited basic economic development course, Georgia Tech’s 43rd Annual Basic Economic Development Course is scheduled for March 23-26, 2010 in Atlanta. Georgia Tech hosts … Continue reading

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Retiree Recruitment, 50 years before they retire

Rural areas like Hickman County face challenges in ‘brain drain’ – rural communities doing a great job educating their youth but failing to attract them back after they become college graduates. This paper from the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, … Continue reading

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Time to get back into the game?

When you are tired of sitting on your great idea and ready to invest Tennessee is the place to look. The place to start, Hickman County, of course. Check out www.investTN.org for more information.

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Economic Development Financing through Recovery Zone Bonds

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Hickman County, Tennessee qualifies for economic development financing of $644,000 for Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds and $967,000 for Recovery Zone Facility Bonds. For more information on Recovery Zone Bonds, check … Continue reading

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Broadband

Efforts to increase broadband availability and speeds continue: “Rural Tennessee gets broadband hope” from The Tennessean.

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Grinders Switch Music & Arts Festival… Live on the Public Square!

Howdee!! The Grinders Switch Music & Arts Festival began at 10:00 today. There are a lot of vendors, community-based organizations, and food. Music began with the Hickman County High School Band and the East Hickman High School Band (that talented … Continue reading

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Grinders Switch Music & Arts Festival — TODAY!!!

Around 10 o’clock this morning, the Grinders Switch Music and Arts festival officially opens. The Hickman County Chamber of Commerce puts on the event and Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association is one of the sponsors. There will be … Continue reading

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Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance

To observe Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance, I gave a pint of blood today in honor of those lost eight years ago and to recognize the people whose contributions, large and small, make our world … Continue reading

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Starting a business with no money! What’s so funny?

A great article in the Wall Street Journal blog, “Can You Open a Restaurant with No Money?“. Some of the points can be used for starting any business. When you get to the part that says, “Craft a well-written business … Continue reading

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Publication 583 – A Catchy Title

I think fear of public speaking may be up there with the fear of death, but the fear of the Internal Revenue Service, keeping records, and paying taxes is probably way up the list. Why worry…. check out the IRS … Continue reading

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Does eCommerce eLicit eConomic eNthusiasm?

Check out this informative post on the Small Biz Survival blog: “Is ecommerce right for your small town store“ eCommerce might not be right for everyone – it takes having your business operations efficent as well as a little tech … Continue reading

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Happy Labor Day!

While some of us have been working today, Labor Day is sort of the last hoorah of Summer, the realization of shorter days, and the expectations of a little nip in the air soon. It is also a celebration of … Continue reading

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USDA Value-added Producer Grant

AGRICULTURE UNDER SECRETARY TONSAGER URGES FARMERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO APPLY FOR VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS Grants may be used for planning activities and for working capital for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable energy. Eligible applicants are independent … Continue reading

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Comfortable USA-made Jeans from a Hickman County Company

Diamond Gusset Jeans, headquartered in beautiful Bon Aqua in Hickman County, is now on Twitter! Follow comfortable, USA made Diamond Gusset. (yes tweeters, that was 140 characters!)

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