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.

Grinders Switch Music & Arts Festival – Fun and Funnel Cakes

Labor Day weekend starts tomorrow so it won’t be long until the Grinders Switch Music & Arts Festival is held in Centerville on September 12th, its traditional day of Saturday after Labor Day. This event is a day (and into … Continue reading

Posted in Quality of place | Comments Off on Grinders Switch Music & Arts Festival – Fun and Funnel Cakes

Great Rural Healthcare — Something to Shout About

One thing is certain, there is a lot of controversy on healthcare costs and how we pay for them. However, I don’t think anyone is against having a quality healthcare provider. Centerville and Hickman County has one in Hickman Community … Continue reading

Posted in health care reform | Comments Off on Great Rural Healthcare — Something to Shout About

Fair Fun for the Family

The Hickman County Fair will be held August 26-29 at the Hickman County Agricultural Pavilion and Fairgrounds. Agricultural exhibits, nightly entertainment, ‘festival food’, and fun rides on the midway. Be sure to ride all the rides and see all the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Fair Fun for the Family

Survey says…..

In doing research for a presentation by an associate on strategic planning, I ran across the following excerpt from the study, Community Opinions on Economic Development in the South by Thomas W. Ilvento: Rural residents in the South face a … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Survey says…..

Moving on, Moving Up

Transitions. Appropriately enough, I once had ‘transition director’ in my job title. Yep, still working on them. In the recession and the impending recovery, there are transitions that must be made. Starting a business, gaining a degree or certification for … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Moving on, Moving Up

Leadership Hickman 2010, Be the First of the Decade

If you are looking for a way to learn about your community, develop your leadership skills, and make important connections with business and public sector leaders in Hickman County, consider the Leadership Hickman Program. Plus, you will join our ‘Wall … Continue reading

Posted in leadership, Leadership Hickman County | Comments Off on Leadership Hickman 2010, Be the First of the Decade

Recognition for Economic and Community Development Excellence

Hickman County will receive the Governor’s Three-Star Award for Economic & Community Development Preparedness at the Governor’s Conference on Tennessee Economic and Community Development scheduled for September 14-15. Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association leads Hickman County’s efforts and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Recognition for Economic and Community Development Excellence

All’s Fair in our Festivals and Fairs

The Hickman County Fair will be held August 26-29 at the Hickman County Agricultural Pavilion and Fairgrounds. Be sure to ride all the rides and see all the shows. Summer is moving along and it won’t be long until the … Continue reading

Posted in Grinders Switch Music and Arts Festival, tourism value | Comments Off on All’s Fair in our Festivals and Fairs

Whether ‘Woodstock’ or Hickman County, Baby Boomers can find fun in rural areas

In the post, Amenity-rich rural areas will see influx of retiring baby boomers, new study predicts, The Rural Blog reports on a study by USDA Economic Research Service whose authors state, “(b)aby boomers have already demonstrated more of an affinity … Continue reading

Posted in Hickman County Tennessee Economic Development, Quality of place, retiree recruitment | Comments Off on Whether ‘Woodstock’ or Hickman County, Baby Boomers can find fun in rural areas

Business plans, plain

I just finished reading a blog post with the premise, ‘if you dread doing your business plan, you probably should not go into business.’ Good point. If you don’t have enough passion about your business that doing a little research … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Business plans, plain

Hickman County is the home of the Bulldogs…

A touching dog story from Hickman County, Tennessee:

Posted in dog, puppy Hickman County | Comments Off on Hickman County is the home of the Bulldogs…

To be or not to be….

A topic close to my heart these days is how and when does a part-time entrepreneur make that leap to saying goodbye to the old 9 to 5? First, is there something fulfilling – either financially or personally rewarding – … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on To be or not to be….

Tourism/Small Business Development & Marketing Workshop Offered

Getting more tourists to visit our area requires thought and planning, and the best marketing ideas are only good if they are effectively implemented. In response to participation by leaders from Hickman, Lewis, Perry and Wayne counties the Buffalo/Duck River … Continue reading

Posted in small business, tourism | Comments Off on Tourism/Small Business Development & Marketing Workshop Offered

Congressman Davis provides forum to improve economic and community development in Tennessee 4th

Yesterday, I attended the Small Business & Federal Funding Seminar hosted by U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis for his constituents in the Tennessee 4th District, which includes part of Hickman County. Small businesses and community leaders are invited to interact with … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Congressman Davis provides forum to improve economic and community development in Tennessee 4th

Making Business Connections: It’s all in the cards

All this talk about Twitter, blogs, Facebook, search engine optimization, social media 2.0, YouTube, etc., etc. — at least we can forget about the stuff from back in the old days (the ’90s). Well, maybe not. There still is a … Continue reading

Posted in Hickman County business assistance | Comments Off on Making Business Connections: It’s all in the cards

Grinders Switch Music & Arts Festival

Summer is moving along and it won’t be long until the Grinders Switch Music & Arts Festival is held in Centerville on September 12th. This event is a day (and into the night) filled with visiting with old friends and … Continue reading

Posted in arts and crafts, Grinders Switch, music | Comments Off on Grinders Switch Music & Arts Festival

Once I get you up there, where the air is rarefied…

Leaving Nashville International Airport late tonight and negotiating the road construction, I was thinking about how much this transportation resource has grown and improved since my road warrior days in the 90’s. Though the mess of construction was aggravating tonight, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Once I get you up there, where the air is rarefied…

Leadership Hickman leads the way to better leadership skills and networking

Well, it is that time of year again. We have begun putting together our 13th class for the Leadership Hickman program, which will be taking applications in August and will start in early September. Began in 1996 with the assistance … Continue reading

Posted in Hickman County TN, leadership | Comments Off on Leadership Hickman leads the way to better leadership skills and networking

3 Star Award

Hickman County Economic & Community Development Assn., which leads Hickman County’s efforts, had its recertification review yesterday for the Governor’s Three-Star Award for Economic & Community Development Preparedness. The official award ceremony will be a part of the Governor’s Conference … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 3 Star Award

Hickman County Fair

Just a little advanced notice so that you can mark your calendar — The Hickman County Fair will be held August 26-29 at the Hickman County Agricultural Pavilion and Fairgrounds. Be sure to ride all the rides and see all … Continue reading

Posted in agritourism | Comments Off on Hickman County Fair

Back to School?

Though it may be a little late to start planning where to go to college next semester, it is never to late for planning to meet your higher education goals. Inspired by the “Education Life” section in the paper this … Continue reading

Posted in Higher Education Hickman County | Comments Off on Back to School?

Mom, Pop, and the little tweets.

The New York Times had an article yesterday titled “Mom-and-Pop Operators Turn to Social Media” that gives some examples of small businesses using Twitter to market their business.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mom, Pop, and the little tweets.

Change, it’s still there

I recently did a mailout to site selection professionals. I was a little amazed at the number of returned pieces of mail, probably close to 10%, even though my database wasn’t that dated. In correcting my mailing list, I found … Continue reading

Posted in economic development expert, Tennessee Site Selection | Comments Off on Change, it’s still there

Did Twitter put Brüno in an embarrassing, awkardly funny situation?

Did Twitter cost the movie Brüno millions? There is evidence (see MSNBC.com article) that the crowds that rushed to the new Sacha Baron Cohen movie Brüno came out of the theatre tweeting to their friends and followers that the movie … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Did Twitter put Brüno in an embarrassing, awkardly funny situation?

Smart Start Small Business Guide

The Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) with the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development has a new publication to help small business, Smart Start Small Business Guide. It includes a lot of great information that can help you start … Continue reading

Posted in BERO, business assistance | Comments Off on Smart Start Small Business Guide

Shortage of private employment brings The New York Times to Perry County, Tennessee

When I pick up my daily copy of The New York Times on the way to work this week, I will be watching for an article to be published on the hardship of high unemployment in Perry County, Tennessee. The … Continue reading

Posted in economic development expert, Hickman County Tennessee Economic Development | Comments Off on Shortage of private employment brings The New York Times to Perry County, Tennessee

Does our Quality of Place translate for Gen M?

I have been trying to find the secret to getting people engaged in their community. Related to that quest is how we as managers of businesses and organizations become better engaged in an interactive, mutually beneficial relationship with our customers. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Does our Quality of Place translate for Gen M?

Men wearing women’s underwear, publicity, asking for money: Can it be a good thing?

I was checking out Twitter this morning and a tweet mentioned what seems to be a great idea for raising money, creating a community publicity ‘buzz’, and allowing a little public cross-dressing for fun. Check out this story from Franklin, … Continue reading

Posted in downtown retail | Comments Off on Men wearing women’s underwear, publicity, asking for money: Can it be a good thing?

Green Jobs — Act fast before they’re snatched from the vine

The Tennessee Department of Human Services and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is providing training for the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). TVA will provide energy auditor and weatherization contractor training across the state that meets U. S. Department of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Green Jobs — Act fast before they’re snatched from the vine

SBA American Recovery Capital Loan… ARC for short

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has always been a great asset for financing small business. SBA has responded to the economic times with some new programs made available by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA or ‘the stimulus package’). … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on SBA American Recovery Capital Loan… ARC for short