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.

2013 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 in downtown Nashville. … Continue reading

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Who is really creating jobs?

William Fulton in the latest issue of Governing magazine explores whether Texas economic development is as great as hyped or whether California economic development is the gloom and doom we often proclaim.

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Nashville, Tennessee MSA Leads Nation in Job Growth

The recently released job growth numbers from the United State Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) leads the nation in job growth.  Cheatham County is part of the Nashville MSA and the Partnership 2020 initiative. “Nashville … Continue reading

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Starting a Business? Looking for help to grow your business?

If you are considering starting a business in Cheatham County or you just want to know more about starting and growing a business in Tennessee, the Tennessee Smart Start Guide published by the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development … Continue reading

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Potential Source of Capital for Cheatham County Businesses

Middle Tennessee Area Development Corporation (MADC) was established  in 1983 as a non-profit corporation to serve the capital needs of small  businesses in Middle Tennessee.  MADC partners with lenders to provide low  interest, long-term business loans. For more information, check … Continue reading

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Work Opportunity Tax Credit for Employers

Employers can take advantage of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit on their federal income tax liability. If an employer hires someone that can be certified (a simple process) as being part of a target group (such as being an eligible … Continue reading

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Cheatham County’s March Unemployment Rate Decreases to 6.6%

Last week, the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development released the March 2013 labor force estimates and unemployment rates for Tennessee counties.  The unemployment rate for Cheatham County was 6.6%, the eighth (8th) lowest rate in the state.  For … Continue reading

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West 70 Arts Cruise

This past Saturday morning, I had the pleasure to visit the West 70 Arts Cruise in Pegram, Tennessee.  A few miles down U.S Highway 70 just beyond the Nashville/Davidson County line into Cheatham County, the West 70 Arts Cruise has local artists showing and … Continue reading

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Back to A.C. from D.C.

I attended the IEDC Federal Forum last week.  Here is a list of interesting bits of information from the conference compiled by Louise Anderson and posted on the International Economic Development Council’s website: Number of job centers in the federal … Continue reading

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The Nashville Business Journal reports that The Braxton condominiums have sold

It looks as though The Nashville Business Journal got the scoop — a company capable of making The Braxton Condominiums a success has purchased the property. Located on the Cumberland River and next to a marina in the heart of … Continue reading

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The wheels on the bus go round and round (and town to town)

Regional bus service between Nashville and Clarksville has been expanded and a new Cheatham County stop in Pleasant View has been added by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).  For more information and a copy of the new Clarksville Express schedule, check out … Continue reading

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Finding your treasure while seeing a pleasant view….

Bargains galore may be found in the Pleasant View, Tennessee City-Wide Yard Sale to be held on Saturday, April 13th.  Pleasant View is a short drive from Nashville, just off Interstate 24.  More information can be found in this link … Continue reading

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Chitlin Cookin’ Time in Cheatham County

Pardon me, it’s Saturday night… I’ve just got to listen to this one more time:

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Economic Development Education

Ever wonder what a PILOT, TIF or IDB is?  My attempt to condense over 15 years of experience as an economic development professional into a few short YouTube videos can be found at www.investTN.org/EDED .  Payment In Lieu of Tax … Continue reading

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Google for Creators event to be held in Nashville

Cheatham County certainly has an abundance of creative people.  And the creative type knows it never hurts to find ways to better express and utilize that creativity.  Experts from Google and YouTube will be nearby in Nashville on April 18th to … Continue reading

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Giving them more than the Angry Birds?

“Mobile App or Mobile Website. What Does a Small Rural Business Need?” on the RuralTourismMarketing blog was particularly timely to me.  I’ve been researching mobile apps and decided it’s time to add that to my toolbox.  It is hard to believe that wired … Continue reading

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Cheatham County Ranks High for Status of Women

The Status of Women in Tennessee Counties: Indicators of Economic Strength and Freedom by County published by the Tennessee Economic Council on Women reports that Cheatham County ranks second (2nd) best overall for economic strength and freedom for women among Tennessee’s … Continue reading

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Tennessee Broadband Summit 2013

Increased broadband availability and more technology utilization should be a part of any rural community’s economic development strategy. I recently spoke on a panel with Bobby Goode with USDA Rural Development and Chris Percy with AT&T that lead a discussion on … Continue reading

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Ashland City approves reducing fees to help assisted living facility development

The Ashland City Times reports: The Ashland City Council plans to cut water and sewer tap fees as well as building permit fees in half for six months. The decision comes after the council was recently asked by the developer … Continue reading

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Importance of Exporting

“Tennessee is launching export development offices overseas to promote more exports, according to Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty,” from the Nashville Business Journal.

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Nashville Area Sustainable Tourism

Here is an article that tells a little about Cheatham County’s tourism initiative: “Cheatham County Sustainable Tourism“

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Nashville

NYTimes.com has a great article this morning on our area, “Nashville Takes Its Turn in the Spotlight“, that tells a little about the environment for success that the Nashville region has created.

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Small business tax relief part of deal that averted the ‘fiscal cliff’

“Small Business Tax Incentives in the Fiscal Cliff Deal” details advantagous tax benefits to small business. These includes the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) that benefits employers who hire veterans and other targeted unemployed members of our labor force.

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Nature creates creative and critical thinking

The blog post, “Spending time immersed in nature can increase creativity and critical thinking, study confirms“, from The Rural Blog tells of the value of spending time in natural areas like those in abundance in Cheatham County, Tennessee.  Just to … Continue reading

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Happy New Year! (and wishes for a wonderful life in 2013)

I spent most of the holiday nursing a cold, resting and drinking plenty of fluids.  I took the opportunity to watch the holiday classic movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. I am always impressed by how much George Bailey and the Bailey … Continue reading

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Nevada to introduce smartphone app for rural tourism

What a great idea! The app is specifically designed to continue to work in rural areas that may not have the best cellular data availability.  According to the article “App Will help travelers explore Nevada’s rural attractions” on VegasINC.com, “…. … Continue reading

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Looking for information on starting or growing your Tennessee business….

BusinessUSA provides a technology based portal for assistance that the U.S. government can give to business.  Designed to be a one-stop shop, this includes information on business planning, operations, marketing, finance, etc. and programs that provide financial assitance and connections … Continue reading

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Cheatham County Unemployment Rate Down in November

The unemployment rate for Cheatham County, Tennessee for November 2012 decreased to 5.7%, a full percentatage point decrease from September.  This occurred even with an increse in the labor force.  The November rates for the U.S. and Tennessee were 7.4% … Continue reading

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Tennessee Certified Economic Developer Program Begins

Expanding on their successful Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course, the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services has announced the Tennessee Certified Economic Developer (TCED) Program. This new state-wide certification program provides high quality training, continuing education and professional development … Continue reading

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving with lots to be thankful for, a Black Friday with value for customers and profit for retailers, and a successful Small Business Saturday this week.

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