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 earns Site Selection 2007 Competitiveness Award

Tennessee was recently recognized by Site Selection magazine with its 2007 Competitiveness Award, given for superlative job creation and new capital investment. “I’m especially pleased and gratified by this recognition because it demonstrates Tennessee’s commitment to maintaining the best business … Continue reading

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Chamber of Commerce for East Hickman

There is a growing interest in establishing a chapter of the Chamber of Commerce for the East Hickman area. The next meeting will be held at the Beacon Light Tearoom on Highway 100 on Tuesday, May 6th at 6:00p.m. Bon … Continue reading

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Board Member to Attend Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course

Just another example of the commitment Hickman County has to improving economic development, Rob Mitchell will be attending the Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course May 12-16 in Nashville. Rob will be representing Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association (HCECDA), … Continue reading

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Tennessee Featured in Fortune 500 Special Issue

In this year’s Fortune 500 special issue of Fortune magazine in which the best of the best in business are featured, Tennessee highlights reasons it is a great place to locate a business. Yes, the more populous, lower unemployment regions … Continue reading

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Value-added Agriculture Products, then Biomass & Forestry Products in Tennessee

Value-added Agriculture Products Business WorkshopMay 7th 9:30-12:00 Tennessee Career Center130 Progress Center Plaza Centerville(email vision21@hickmanco.com to register)How to start and how to grow a business that adds value to agriculture products. Canning fruit preserves, processing timber products, making wine, creating … Continue reading

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East Hickman Chamber of Commerce

With the East Hickman (Lyles, Bon Aqua, Wrigley) area’s fast commercial growth, an interest in a chamber of commerce group focused on that area has initiated meetings to explore the possibility of organizing. An active chamber of commerce chapter could … Continue reading

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Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course

The Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course will be held on May 12-16 in Nashville. This is accredited by IEDC and substitutes for the IEDC Introduction to Economic Development for those looking for a professional development opportunity. For more information, go … Continue reading

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Value-added Agriculture Entrepreneur Workshop

We are planning a free informational workshop for those with a value-added agriculture product business and for those thinking about starting one. Value-added agriculture products are any agricultural products that are processed somehow and sold. Some of the topics covered … Continue reading

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A Fertile Place to Grow Your Business

An example of Hickman County being a fertile place to grow: MPS TrucklinesNashville duo buys $7M trucking co. Source: Nashville Business Journal April 4th by Jim Stinson A $7 million trucking business has been sold to two Nashville-area businessmen and … Continue reading

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‘Better’ of both worlds…

With a 7.1% unemployment rate and 60% of the labor force fighting the commute to places like downtown Nashville, Hickman County, TN has a labor force with the rural work ethic that can be readily accessed. And, if you need … Continue reading

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Things Change or.. Economic Development Develops

Like everything else, economic development has changed. It dawned on me the other day that I do not use the fax machine as much as I once did. With scanners and email and the high speed connectivity, my fax is … Continue reading

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Another Industrial Building Almost Ready!

Another industrial building is almost ready for lease or sale. This 115,000 sq. ft. building was owned by Levi Strauss until 2000 and has been predominately used for warehouse space since that time. A new owner is doing repairs and … Continue reading

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Professional Economic Developer

Why should you call us during your retail or industrial site selection process? Yes, we have some good sites and a quality work force available. In addition, Hickman County has a full-time professional economic developer to assist you. I have … Continue reading

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Retail Opportunities

If you are looking for a site for a retail development or have property that you would like to market as commercial property, HCECDA may be able to help. We do extensive trade area demographic, economic, and average daily traffic … Continue reading

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New Chamber of Commerce Website

The Hickman County Chamber of Commerce has a new website. It is still under construction, but looks like it is going to be another benefit for those of us who are chamber of commerce members…. and for those non-business types … Continue reading

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Economic & Community Development Strategic Plan Update Meeting

Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association will host a public meeting to solicit input to update Hickman County’s Strategic Plan for Economic & Community Development. Each year, we invite the input of the public and community leaders in determining … Continue reading

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Hickman County – Rural, yet near Nashville

Hickman County has the advantage of having an available labor force with a rural work ethic. The unemployment rate is 7% due in part to the YKK plant closure. Being near Nashville (in the Nashville/Davidson County MSA, but not the … Continue reading

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Vacant and Available Industrial Building 120,000 sq. ft.

The former YKK facility is 120,000 sq. ft. of well-maintained, masonry wall industrial and/or warehouse/distribution space. NAI Global is listing the property and it is officially on the market and available for sale. YKK Snap Fasteners produced products for the … Continue reading

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Small Business Online Training

Starting a new business or looking to grow your existing small business? The U.S. Small Business Administration has free, online business training. The courses are taken at your speed, but usually take an average of 30 minutes. Topics include “Starting … Continue reading

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Vacant Industrial Building 120,000 sq. ft.

The building just vacated by YKK will soon be for sale. This is a well-maintained 120,000 square feet block and brick building with sprinkler system and 20 ft. minimum ceiling. Contact for details. vision21@hickmanco.com

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Incentives for New Job Creation – Either Industrial Relocation or Expansion

The State of Tennessee offers an attractive incentive package for industrial job creation, either from relocation to the state or an expansion. Hickman County is one of the counties that qualify for the highest level of the Jobs Tax Credit … Continue reading

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Resource for Arts & Crafts Entrepreneurs

For anyone looking to sell their arts & crafts products, check out www.etsy.com . The website was recently featured in the Sunday New York Times and looks to be a good way for rural entrepreneurs to reach a large, trendy … Continue reading

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Happy New Year

If your company is looking to relocate or expand into an area with a rural work ethic, yet near Nashville and I-40 and I-65, Hickman County, Tennessee could be your home in 2008. There are buildings and greenfield sites available!

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From: Recruiting Strategy Pays Off

In a recent post on the Economic Development Marketing Blog, the collaborative strategic partnership between TVA, Tennessee Dept. of Economic & Community Development, and local communities is credited for a business friendly environment and for meeting industrial prospects’ site selection … Continue reading

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Retail Development

Hickman County has the capacity to support more retail development. With the new sewer and other infrastucture in the area of the county nearest Nashville, Franklin, and Columbia, there is increased opportunity for retail and commercial development. If you are … Continue reading

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County Fair Honors Agricultural Heritage

The Hickman County Fair is August 14-18. The fair has always been a respite from the hard work of the summer, a time for showing the results of the year’s labor, and a time for entertainment and fellowship. Check out … Continue reading

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From Moonshine to Fine Wine

Yes, Hickman County gained the reputation for moonshining and is still sometimes called “Keg County” by some old-timers, but we are much more refined these days. Take a scenic ride in the country and visit the new Grinder’s Switch Winery. … Continue reading

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What’s a Mucklewain?

I’m not sure, but it looks like more music will be coming from Hickman County. www.mucklewain.com . If you are looking for something sooner, check out the Grinders Switch Radio Hour, a live radio show every Saturday morning. http://www.grindersswitch.com/kix.html

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Better Broadband

Hickman County will be participating in the new Connected Tennessee initiative. (http://www.connectedtn.org) We (and they) are working toward improving broadband availability options and optimizing technology utilization in our area. Stay tuned for more information.

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Rural Ride

Hickman County on YouTube:A nice scenic motorcycle ride… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5u7-Io9s-M

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