Startups in Smaller Cities

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Daryl Phillips, CEcD

In a recent article on BusinessWeek.com, titled “The Pros of Planting Startups in Smaller Cities“, the case is made for smaller communities such as those in Hickman County, Tennessee. With quality of place and a welcome mat for even small firms, small communities can be the place for business success… especially when near the amenities of large cities like Nashville. It is also worth noting that with the uncertainty of the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, there may be even more benefits to locating in our area, which has a rural work ethic and a labor force that is averse to organizing.

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.
This entry was posted in economic development, Employee Free Choice Act, FECA, Plätze für Fabriken mit Qualitätsarbeitskräften, Quality of place. Bookmark the permalink.