Not since the Perry County Jayhawkers burned a large portion of Centerville’s residential neighborhoods during the Civil War has there been such an abomination to the spirit of being good neighbors. Our beloved Minnie Pearl statue is being held in Perry County as reported in today’s Tennessean, “Custody battle rages over a statue of Minnie Pearl“. All bronzed from the beautiful, sunny Centerville Public Square, Minnie now sits in the quiet, relaxing lobby of the Commodore Hotel in Linden. She is no longer near the Grinders Switch Inn, a 50’s era motel where Elvis stayed (though he didn’t get any sleep while there — you’ll have to visit to get that story!)
Yes, there still are economical things to see and do here in Hickman County, including the Grinders Switch Center with its live audience Saturday morning radio show (more info on http://www.musiccitybackyard.com/ ). At the moment, however, you will have to drive the 30 miles farther down State Route 100 (stop at the Grinders Switch Winery on the way) to see the Minnie Pearl statue in that mean old Perry County.
I am just afraid this will escalate into something between Nancy Roland with the Hickman County Chamber of Commerce and Pat Vanden Bosche with the Perry County Chamber of Commerce that, frankly, we will all regret. When you come to visit, please just don’t bring it up!
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.
