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.

Visualization of Job Growth in U.S.

TIP Strategies has created an interesting visualization called Geography of Jobs that shows job gains (and losses) in the Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the United States from January 1999 to July 2014.  Press play and watch a graphic representation of … Continue reading

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IEDC 2014 Annual Conference

I will be leaving Tennessee next weekend to participate in the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) conference.  IEDC will convene its 2014 Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas on October 19th-22nd.  Around 1,500 economic development professionals from around the world have already … Continue reading

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Travel and tourism revenue increase in county

The Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties 2013 was recently released by the Research Department of the U.S. Travel Association in Washington, D.C.  In the report, Cheatham County exhibited a 4.6% increase from 2012 to 2013 in Direct Domestic Traveler Expenditures and Related Economic Impact to $20,120,000.  Stay … Continue reading

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Southern Festival of Books

I hosted an author session at the Southern Festival of Books in downtown Nashville this weekend.  I have attended the festival for many years and despite a little rain yesterday and today, this weekend’s was as enjoyable an experience as … Continue reading

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Spend a few hours a year so jobs are filled with qualified people?

Would you like to spend a few hours a year to help a student go to and succeed in higher education?  Would you like to help sustain a quality workforce skilled for tomorrow’s jobs? Our students still need mentors for … Continue reading

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First TCEDs Certified

I recently had the privilege to hear the capstone presentations of the inaugural class of Tennessee Certified Economic Developers (TCED) at the Tennessee Economic Development Council’s Fall Conference.  Anchored by their completion of the Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course accredited … Continue reading

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More data, less difficult

I learned of what looks like a great economic development tool from a post on Sara Dunnigan’s A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Economic Development.  It is called The U.S. Cluster Mapping Project, but be patient, it is still in Beta version as of … Continue reading

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Texas talk

The International Economic Development Council will convene its 2014 Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas on October 19th-22nd.  Hundreds of economic development professionals from around the world will be in attendance to make new connections and learn more effective ways … Continue reading

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A long weekend

Here is another suggested itinerary for a weekend in Nashville, this one from the Envision Conference Center, www.envisionnashville.com/weekend-in-nashville.  Of course, find some time or make it a long weekend to visit Cheatham County while you’re here.

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Mentors needed for Cheatham County’s Tennessee Promise that helps students complete higher education

Our students still need mentors for Cheatham County’s Tennessee Promise!!! The Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program that will begin in the fall of 2015. It will provide students a last dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will … Continue reading

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Cheatham County Promotes Healthier Tennessee

Healthier Tennessee is an effort led by Governor Bill Haslam and made possible by The Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness, a non-profit corporation dedicated to enabling and encouraging Tennesseans to lead healthier lives. The Foundation is funded through a … Continue reading

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Tennessee Promise

Attention Tennessee high school seniors, next Monday, August 18th, the Tennessee Promise scholarship application will be online.  This is a last-dollar scholarship the covers all tuition and fees remaining after Pell and other scholarships to Tennessee community colleges or to … Continue reading

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A place where no one says, “would you like fries with that?”

Local restaurants are a great place to experience great food and new surroundings.  Local restaurants can continue to outshine their competition from chains with staying current with what potential customers want.  This article from RestaurantNews.com, “Boost Your Restaurant’s Lunch Business … Continue reading

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Riverbluff Triathlon: Swim, run and bike on September 6, 2014

We hope you will join us on September 6, 2014 for the 4th Annual Riverbluff Triathlon and Festival beginning at 7:00 am.  The race begins at the Ashland City Riverbluff Park and runs, bikes and swims over several miles of scenic Cheatham County and Cheatham … Continue reading

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Mentoring with Tennessee Promise

I signed up today to become a mentor for Cheatham County’s Tennessee Promise. The Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program that will begin in the fall of 2015. It will provide students a last dollar scholarship, meaning … Continue reading

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Great audience at MTIDA for using technology in economic development presentation

We just wrapped up the panel presentation at the Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association (MTIDA) 2014 Annual Economic Development Seminar titled #econdev – Trending Tech Topics in Economic Development.  Great questions and discussions from today’s event.  Whether learning about best practices … Continue reading

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Using technology in economic development

I am just about to speak on a panel at the Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association (MTIDA) 2014 Annual Economic Development Seminar.  Our panel’s topic is #econdev – Trending Tech Topics in Economic Development.  From my experience as a community … Continue reading

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TV news segment on success of Braxton Condominiums

The Braxton Condominiums have went from empty to successful in just a little over a year. WTVF aired a story tonight showcasing the vibrant, attractive community in Ashland City, Tennessee.

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Average Weekly Wage. No bs, it’s from the BLS.

Data from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics on Annual Average Weekly Wage in 2013 was recently released and the interactive map with data for all counties in the United States was popular on social media last … Continue reading

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Teaching an old dog new economic development finance tricks

For me, it is an early start on a week of intensive ED202 Real Estate Finance classes.  This my next to the last class to complete toward my Economic Development Finance Professional certification from the National Development Council.  A well-trained … Continue reading

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Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development 2014

Economic development professionals, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials will be attending the 61st Annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development on November 13th and 14th, 2014 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel just a few miles from … Continue reading

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Benchmarks for Small Community Economic Development

The Heartland Center lists 20 clues to rural community survival.  Used in their workshops, the list is also handy just to look through and see what we are doing well and what we are working on in our economic and community … Continue reading

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News of hard work that pays off for team, we’re not done yet

A recent article in The Nashville Ledger reports on some of Cheatham County’s economic development successes in the past year.  Stay tuned, we are a work in progress.  

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Riverbluff Triathlon September 6, 2014

We hope you will join us on September 6, 2014 for the 4th Annual Riverbluff Triathlon and Festival beginning at 7:00 am.  The race begins at the Ashland City Riverbluff Park and runs, bikes and swims over several miles of scenic Cheatham County and Cheatham … Continue reading

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Happy Fourth of July!

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July and wonderful day of celebrating our country’s Independence. If you need fireworks to cap off the day, Nashville’s Fourth of July fireworks show was named by the American Pyrotechnics … Continue reading

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Welcome home and get to work

A “Welcome Home” Parade and  Job Fair for veterans will be held on Saturday, June 14th (that’s Flag Day) in downtown Nashville. Click here for the flyer with more information.

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Keeping it weird

“Three Companies Back Out of Economic Development Agreements“, reports the Economic Development HQ blog.  Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell stated in a press release, “In recent months, Austin City Council action instituted stringent requirements in regard to economic incentives.  It concerns … Continue reading

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In the mood for local food

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House Rural Council Chairman announced a federal initiative called Local Food, Local Places that will provide rural communities with technical support to rural communities to help communities build vibrant local food systems that complement their … Continue reading

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Wall Street Journal: Check out country music in Nashville then check out the country

This weekend’s The Wall Street Journal has a great article on visiting Nashville, “Pitch-Perfect Nashville: A long weekend filled with biscuits, barbecue, country couture, hipster hangouts and all the live tunes you can handle“.  I have been to many of … Continue reading

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For summer’s best, come to Summerfest!

Mark your calendars on June 24-28 for Ashland City’s annual Summerfest 2014 celebration.  Summerfest will be held at Riverbluff park in Ashland City, Tennessee on the bank of the Cumberland River. Summerfest features a family-friendly carnival, lots of good food, … Continue reading

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