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.

I’ll be part of the 55%ers…

Governor Haslam rolled out his Drive to 55 workforce development initiative today.  The goal of Drive to 55 is to bring the percentage of Tennesseans with college degrees or certifications to 55% by the year 2025. Tennessee now lags far … Continue reading

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Enrollment up in Cheatham County schools

The Tennessean reports “School enrollment slightly up” in Cheatham County schools.

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Come as you are, but stay in your car… Great Memories from Drive-in Movie Theaters

Most drive-in theaters will not be able to afford the digital projectors required when new movies soon will cease to be released on film. Honda is sponsoring an initiative to help save drive-ins including donating projectors to the drive-ins that … Continue reading

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Happy Labor Day! Is this the day I’m supposed to put away my white shoes and belt?

I hope everyone is enjoying this Labor Day weekend!  The U.S. Department of Labor has a good statement on its website about what the day is about: Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor … Continue reading

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The names were changed, but they continue to develop a workforce trained in today’s technology skillsets

The state’s workforce training schools, vocational technical schools for adults and formerly  known as Tennessee Technology Centers, were renamed Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology on July 1, 2013. The name change more accurately reflects the post-secondary training provided at the … Continue reading

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Places to Dove Hunt in Nashville Area

Dove season opens tomorrow, September 1st, at Noon and runs to September 26th.  The season later runs from October 12th to October 27th and from December 19th to January 15th. More information on dove hunting in Tennessee can be found … Continue reading

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The writing is not quite on the wall. Please don’t make Jenny change her number (867-5309).

Our Nashville area is growing and we are running out of telephone numbers in the 615 area code geography.  The choices are splitting the area now with 615 into approximately half of the population (telephone numbers, not people) and allowing … Continue reading

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TTFKANVT (The Triathlon Formerly Known As the NashVegas Triathlon) September 7, 2013

You’re probably already trained and toned, but we hope you will join us on September 7, 2013 for the 3rd Annual Riverbluff Triathlon (formerly known as the Nashvegas Triathlon) and Festival beginning at 7:00 am.  The race begins at the Ashland City … Continue reading

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IEDC 2013 Annual Conference

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) will hold its IEDC 2013 Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5-9, 2013.  The theme is “Transformation, Innovation, Reinvention: Creating Tomorrow’s Economy Today”.  There will be many opportunities to hear economic development professionals … Continue reading

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UBS to invest $36.5 million and create 1,000 jobs in downtown Nashville

UBS, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services companies, announced today that the company will invest $36.5 million and create 1,000 new jobs in Tennessee, specifically in downtown Nashville. “Expanding our presence in Nashville is the right business … Continue reading

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Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development 2013

Economic development professionals, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials will be attending the 60th Annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development on October 3rd and 4th, 2013 at the newly completed Music City Center just a few … Continue reading

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Economic Development Blog Posts – from many, one.

I was looking through my bookmarks of rural economic development blogs and was struck by how many either didn’t exist anymore or had not been updated in many months.  This made me decide to spend some time searching for some … Continue reading

Posted in broadband, social media, technology, Tennessee competitiveness, Tennessee Economic Development, Tennessee Site Selection, tourism value | 1 Comment

Development taxes have their ups (Thompson Station in Williamson County) and their downs (Cheatham County)

The Tennessean reports on Thompson Station, Tennessee voting to raise their impact assessment fees for non-residential and commercial projects from $1.00 per square foot to different rates depending on the type of use.  “For instance, a new 4,000-square-foot fast food restaurant … Continue reading

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Great strides in improving environment for quality growth in Cheatham County

The Tennessean newspaper reports today on Cheatham County’s improving environment for quality growth in “County lowers building taxes indefinitely“.

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Riverbluff Triathlon scheduled for scenic Cheatham County Sept. 7, 2013

We hope you will join us on September 7, 2013 for the 3rd Annual Riverbluff Triathlon (formerly known as the Nashvegas 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 … Continue reading

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Taxes on development lowered in Cheatham County

The environment for commercial and residential development continues to improve.  News of the latest strides in encouraging growth in Cheatham County, Tennessee:  “Cheatham County lowers development taxes” in the Nashville Business Journal and “Cheatham County Commission slashes taxes on new homes” … Continue reading

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Tennessee stands on solid financial footing

Tennessee’s debt ratio lowest in the nation.  Even the people in government here can make smart business decisions.

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Cheatham County Slashes Taxes on New Development

The Cheatham County Commission enhanced the county’s efforts to continue to improve its business environment by reducing their Development Tax from $3,750 to $50 and the Adequate Facilities Tax from $1.00 per square foot to 10 cents. A few years … Continue reading

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Fun and affordable experiences in the Nashville area

In a recent article by The Tennessean newspaper’s Ms. Cheap (Mary Hance), “GET ON THE WATER: Take a canoe float, rent a pontoon or enjoy a nature cruise — for less than you might expect,” Cheatham County tourism destinations were … Continue reading

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I solemnly swear that it is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth: We have a beautiful area to live!

While driving from meeting to meeting yesterday, I just happened to tune in on my radio to testimony from the Trayvon Martin murder trial.  Dr. Vincent Di Maio, a forensic pathologist, was on the witness stand and one of the defense attorneys … Continue reading

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Great land no tax increase

Cheatham County recently passed their budget and it is again great land no tax increase. Great land and no tax increase is just standard operating procedure to the home of great land with no tax increases.

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60th Annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development

Economic development professionals, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials will be attending the 60th Annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development on October 3rd and 4th, 2013 at the newly completed Music City Center just a few … Continue reading

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Happy Fourth of July!!!

It looks like it may be a rainy day here in Tennessee, but I’m sure that it will still be a great day to celebrate the birth of this great nation and the foundation laid for our present economic and … Continue reading

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Ashland City’s B & C Barbecue on Best BBQ List

Ashland City’s new barbecue restaurant, B & C Barbecue Smokehouse is ranked high on the hog in Nashville Scene magazine’s cover story, “Pork is king! Sauce is boss! In search of Middle Tennessee’s best barbecue, low and slow“. To find … Continue reading

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New Jobs Coming to Cheatham County

The South Cheatham Advocate newspaper reports on new manufacturing jobs coming to Cheatham County, Tennessee in its article, “Jobs are Coming to Cheatham County!”.

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If a welcoming business environment is key, Find out how you’ll love it here in Tennessee.

A report on Chicago’s Fox 32 News, “Illinois` tipping point: Highest unemployment rate in Midwest” tells how bad it is for business in Illinois.  The company in the story is moving to the Nashville, Tennessee area where business is welcome … Continue reading

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Work Opportunity Tax Credit Saves Tennessee Employers Big Bucks

The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development announced this week that our state’s employers utilized the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) during the federal fiscal year ending September 2012 for record levels of potential federal income tax savings.  In … Continue reading

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Early Bird Gets Biz Breakfast

I had the opportunity this morning to attend a productive event hosted by The Nashville Business Journal and Lipscomb University for their quarterly business breakfast this morning.  George Lazenby, CEO of Emdeon, gave a great presentation on his company, innovation and … Continue reading

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Economic Development Incentives

I just read an article on economic development incentives awarded by states to attract or retain companies.  Published in The Economist magazine, the article, “Sweet Land of Subsidy“, probably is more fair and balanced than most recent reporting on economic development … Continue reading

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Future for Cheatham County, Tennessee Workforce Shines Bright

Cheatham County students were recently recognized for academic excellence by A.O. Smith, a local manufacturer, and the Cheatham County Chamber of Commerce.  Students with superlative academic achievement from the county’s three high schools, Cheatham Central, Harpeth and Sycamore, were honored with … Continue reading

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