NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber announced that Hickman County has achieved certification under the state’s Three-Star program for excellence in economic development.
“The Three-Star designation is the result of a great deal of hard work on the part of Hickman County,” Kisber said. “Three-Star communities know that sustainable economic development is always built on solid community development, and ECD is proud to support Hickman County in its dedication to long-term economic growth and success.”
Hickman County and the city of Centerville are now eligible to receive additional incentives under the guidelines of the Tennessee Three-Star program.
The Three-Star program has set high standards and incentives like no other state-run program in the nation. Governor Phil Bredesen’s five-year asset-based economic development strategic plan is the cornerstone of the program. In 2005, the Southern Growth Policies Board, a bipartisan public policy think tank devoted to strengthening the South’s economy, recognized the Three-Star program as a best practices program and a Southern leader in community certification programs.
Tennessee’s Three-Star program helps urban and rural communities develop strategic economic and community development plans that meet the needs and challenges of an ever-changing economic environment. It helps communities preserve existing employment, create new employment opportunities, improve family income and develop a strong leadership base for economic development.
The Tennessee Three-Star Program, which is currently active in 88 counties and one city, represents more than 340 Tennessee cities.
“On behalf of ECD, I applaud Hickman County on its accomplishments and dedication to the Three-Star program,” said ECD Assistant Commissioner of Community Development Rick Meredith. “This prime demonstration of Hickman County’s commitment to economic development is indicative of more success to come.”
In order to receive the certification, communities are required to meet criteria in organizational, community, business, education and work force development categories. Incentives for receiving the certification include identification on all FastTrack infrastructure and job training applications; eligibility for matching grants, if criteria set by ECD are met; and the advantage of earning points in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
To find out more information about the Three-Star program, visit
www.tn.gov/ecd .
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.
