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.

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, stay away from me · American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, mama let me be …

Most of the buzz on the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA, aka ‘the stimulus package’) is about grants and loans. Another component that can be beneficial to business are the tax benefits made possible by the ARRA. From expanded … Continue reading

Posted in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ARRA | Comments Off on American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, stay away from me · American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, mama let me be …

Oh, what a tangled Web presence we need…

I am an advocate that every small business can benefit from a web presence and from better utilization of the internet. The blog post on BusinessWeek.com, “We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Web Sites“, gives a little insight in developing a … Continue reading

Posted in economic development expert, Hickman County business assistance, Web 2.0 | Comments Off on Oh, what a tangled Web presence we need…

Small business sick of current healthcare coverage cost

Vanderbilt University’s Center for Community Studies released a report of a survey it conducted that reveals the struggle of small business owners to afford healthcare coverage and their strong opinions on heathcare reform and what it should look like. For … Continue reading

Posted in health care reform, small business healthcare | Comments Off on Small business sick of current healthcare coverage cost

Greener pastures require fertilizer

I’m off today out of town exploring some future opportunites. Looking at other communities – their assets and elbow-grease energy – makes one think not only of greener pastures, but also of fertilizer one might could bring home.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Greener pastures require fertilizer

Still a good place for a still

Hickman County, Tennessee has a well-earned reputation for making moonshine, achieving the designation of “Keg Kounty”. Johnny Cash even sung about “running off the ‘shine” in his ode to Hickman County — no better endorsement than a CASH country song. … Continue reading

Posted in distillery, moonshine, Tennessee distillery law | Comments Off on Still a good place for a still

Info to Make Maintaining Your Small Business Blog as Easy as Falling off a Web Log

Blogs are a great (and cheap) way to tell the story of your business, connect with your customer, and cultivate a long-term customer relationship. For you blog to be effective, it needs to be fresh and have some value to … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging with Blackberrys, business blogs, Hickman County business assistance | Comments Off on Info to Make Maintaining Your Small Business Blog as Easy as Falling off a Web Log

L.A. International Airport, they won’t see him anymore….

“Rival states hope California’s economic woes will send businesses their way” – The Sacramento Bee. Balanced budget, efficient & stable state government, business friendly, rural work ethic – should I go on? Whether your business is from California or Calcutta, … Continue reading

Posted in I-40, industrial site, Nashville International Airport | Comments Off on L.A. International Airport, they won’t see him anymore….

How many OK people are here?

Oklahoma has Project Boomerang to recruit a select group to return to their home state. “If you’re a former Oklahoman living out of state and you are a skilled, knowledge-based professional, check the boxes below…”, it states on one call … Continue reading

Posted in Quality of place | Comments Off on How many OK people are here?

You don’t need to turn up the AC to enjoy a quilt today

On this Fourth of July weekend, quilts might not be the first thing on most people’s mind, but not for an aficionado. Someone sent me a link to a CBS story (CBS quilt story) on the popularity of quilts and … Continue reading

Posted in hickman county quilt show, Quality of place, Quilt Show | Comments Off on You don’t need to turn up the AC to enjoy a quilt today

Happy Independence Day!

Though I had to work yesterday while most everyone else had the day off, I appreciate having time off this weekend, not on the road, to celebrate July 4th, our Independence Day. The United States of America is the greatest … Continue reading

Posted in Quality of place | Comments Off on Happy Independence Day!

Decide if Twitter is for your Small Town Business

Twitter. Sure, it can be fun. Some businesses and organizations are finding it beneficial to their mission and economic condition. Small town rural businesses may not be the most social media, Web 2.0 savvy group, but is it worth it … Continue reading

Posted in Hickman County business assistance, social media, Twitter | Comments Off on Decide if Twitter is for your Small Town Business

Shop Local… (buy your meal here and we both can eat)

A Wall Street Journal article, “Local Efforts to Save Main Street Bring In Traffic“, confirms ‘buy local’ programs work — but are ‘shop local’ programs a long-term fix for a community’s small retail business? Probably not on its own. Maybe … Continue reading

Posted in Quality of place, shop local, shopping value | Comments Off on Shop Local… (buy your meal here and we both can eat)

Tennessee Buckles Down and Approves Budget, Balanced and On-time

Many states are still without a budget and are scrambling to avert financial crisis (see article). Tennessee, however, passed a balanced budget on time and is ready to get back to work this fiscal year in improving economic development in … Continue reading

Posted in state financial crisis, Tennessee budget | Comments Off on Tennessee Buckles Down and Approves Budget, Balanced and On-time

Bring Out the Popcorn, It’s an Economic Development Film

In my neverending quest for knowledge, I ran across a YouTube video from the economic development experts at WTIA (West Tennessee Industrial Association). It really is a nice, concise video that shows how attractive the West Tennessee area can be … Continue reading

Posted in industrial site, Interstate 40, WTIA | Comments Off on Bring Out the Popcorn, It’s an Economic Development Film

Twit on Twitter, Ain’t That Tweet!?

Yes, I’m on Twitter. Catch tweets at http://twitter.com/Daryl_Phillips . Be warned, economic developer constrained by only 140 characters.

Posted in economic development, social media | Comments Off on Twit on Twitter, Ain’t That Tweet!?

Guitars, Bon Aqua, Johnny Cash, and Hickman County Music

Johnny Cash (yes, THE Johnny Cash) had a home in Bon Aqua and spent quite a bit of time there back in the 1970s. He wrote and recorded a song, Saturday Night in Hickman County, that was an album cut … Continue reading

Posted in Johnny Cash, Saturday Night in Hickman County | Comments Off on Guitars, Bon Aqua, Johnny Cash, and Hickman County Music

Independence and Revitalization Celebrations

I was just looking at my calendar and it seems my work week especially light on appointments. I would expect that a lot of folks are taking vacation during the Fourth of July week. I’m looking forward to being home … Continue reading

Posted in Historic Downtown Centerville | Comments Off on Independence and Revitalization Celebrations

Skilled Labor in Hickman County

Even with higher than normal unemployment rates, companies in some areas can still have challenges finding skilled workers. In a recent article in The New York Times, “Despite Recession, Demand for Skilled Labor is Still High“, one of the skilled … Continue reading

Posted in Against Employee Free Choice Act, available labor, Hickman County industry | Comments Off on Skilled Labor in Hickman County

We Adore the SBA 504

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has instituted a new policy that allows the SBA 504 loan program to be used to improve the cash flow of a small business by restructuring its existing debt – provide the company is expanding … Continue reading

Posted in business assistance, SBA, Small Business Adminstration, small business community development corporation | Comments Off on We Adore the SBA 504

Go for a Hike and Stay Out of Trouble in Hickman County

Planning to hike the Appalachian Trail? Better rethink as it could damage your reputation…. for a safer hike, a shorter drive from Nashville, and scenic beauty — check out Hickman County. For more information, check out www.musiccitybackyard.com .

Posted in tourism, tourism value | Comments Off on Go for a Hike and Stay Out of Trouble in Hickman County

Nissan Zero-Emission, Electric Car Announcement

The latest economic development news: Nissan Motor Company, North America, located in neighboring Williamson County, announced plans today to create 1,300 jobs in Smyrna, Tennessee when production on Nissan’s new zero-emission car begins. For a complete story, check out The … Continue reading

Posted in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, economic development | Comments Off on Nissan Zero-Emission, Electric Car Announcement

Rural Grocery Store Challenge… Which is the Arugula Aisle?

Though a lot of folks want a big chain supermarket in rural areas like Hickman County, I try to remind people that the answer to their want for better grocery choices may be improved local or regional based grocery stores. … Continue reading

Posted in rural development, rural grocery stores | Comments Off on Rural Grocery Store Challenge… Which is the Arugula Aisle?

I won’t be in the office on Tuesday…

I am anxiously awaiting my wife, Gayle Shay, flying home Tuesday from her work at the Vancouver International Song Institute (VISI). Gayle received recognition for one of her performances at VISI in a review in the Vancouver Sun newspaper.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on I won’t be in the office on Tuesday…

New, improved, and still historic…

As promised, this is a photo of the west side of the Centerville Public Square. Now, the downtown is safer and more comfortable, but still retains all its historic charm.

Posted in Downtown Centerville, downtown retail | Comments Off on New, improved, and still historic…

Film at Eleven…

Look for photos later, but the first phase of the Downtown Centerville revitalization is all but complete. Two red lights and signalized pedestrian crossings make strolling around the Centerville Public Square and the Hickman County Courthouse lawn a safe and … Continue reading

Posted in courthouse square, Downtown Centerville, public square | Comments Off on Film at Eleven…

Hickman County Visits Macon County

As part of the Tennessee Three-Star Certification for Economic & Community Development Preparedness, Hickman County and Macon County committed to a community connection this year. A group from Macon County visited Hickman County a few weeks ago and yesterday Macon … Continue reading

Posted in community involvement, Three-Star Award | Comments Off on Hickman County Visits Macon County

SBA has new loan programs to help business in recovery

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 business assistance, Hickman County business assistance, Hickman County Economic Development | Comments Off on SBA has new loan programs to help business in recovery

Come fly with me, lets fly lets fly away….

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 BNA, Commercial Airport serving Hickman County, Nashville International Airport | Comments Off on Come fly with me, lets fly lets fly away….

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

I was reminded today of the Work Opportunity Credit, a federal tax credit that provides a reward for employers that hire employees from targeted groups. Members of targeted groups include Hurricane Katrina employee, Long-term family assistance recipient hired after December … Continue reading

Posted in business assistance, Work Opportunity Credit | Comments Off on Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Free or cheap business assistance!

Inc. magazine’s website, Inc.com has an article “10 Free (or cheap) Tools for Start-ups” that might be helpful for new or existing business. I haven’t used all of them, but check them out for business technology help.

Posted in entrepreneurship | Comments Off on Free or cheap business assistance!