Nathan Mick, Economic Development Director

The goal of Nathan's position is to bring an increased focus upon introducing new businesses and jobs of all types to Garrard County while helping existing businesses remain healthy and dynamic.   

Prior to becoming the Garrard County Economic Development Director, Mick served as a political advisor working at the state and national level.  From 2000 to 2005, he worked for United States Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) in Washington, DC, including serving as Deputy Chief of Staff.  He served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Political Director for the Pete Ricketts for U.S. Senate campaign in Nebraska, and as Campaign Manager for State Representative Lonnie Napier in Kentucky.  In 2004, he worked with the Republican National Committee 72 Hour Task Force. 

Mick has traveled extensively, for personal and professional purposes, throughout Europe, Asia and the United States.  He recently traveled to Warsaw, Poland with the U.S. State Department as a member of the official U.S. delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (OSCE HDIM).  Mick gave two speeches at the HDIM on behalf of the United States.  

Mr. Mick is a graduate of Centre College, in Danville, Kentucky, and has studied at Regents College in London and the United States Naval War College.  While in living in Washington, he was a member of the National Cathedral Choral Society.  Nathan now lives in Lancaster, KY.

Click Here to Read Nathan's Introduction in the Central Record Newspaper

Jessica Decker

Jessica is a Centre College student who is working 15 hours per week as an intern in the Economic Development office.  Jessica is originally from Shelbyville, Kentucky where her parents, Bill and Jennifer Decker still live. 

Jessica will graduate from Centre this May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and three minor degrees in Government, Mathematics, and Political Economy. 

In her time at Centre, Jessica had the opportunity to work as a co-author with Dr. Jamus Lim of the World Bank.  One of their articles, "Do Democracies Grow Faster?" was recently accepted for publication in the Journal of International Development.

Click Here to Read Jessica's Introduction in the Central Record Newspaper

Tom Hobbs

Thomas D. Hobbs, President of T.D.Hobbs Associates, LLC - a market research firm based in Danville, Ky. - has recently begun working with the Garrard County Economic Development Director Nathan Mick to identify and target potential businesses looking to start and/or relocate their operations in the Bluegrass region of the Commonwealth.

T.D.Hobbs Associates will provide market research services and work intimately with the Garrard County Economic Development Office, the county Judge-Executive, Lancaster mayor's office, and the Garrard County Chamber of Commerce to gain an understanding of the history of area and priorities of the communities' plans for growth. 

Founded in February 2008, T.D.Hobbs Associates, LLC, provides customized market research solutions for small- and mid-sized businesses, government organizations, and non-profit entities.

www.tdhobbsassociates.com