Hopkinsville Mayor Carter Hendricks will step down February 1 to become the next director of the South West Kentucky Economic Development Council.
EDC Board Chairman Lee Conrad made the announcement following a closed session during a special called meeting Monday afternoon at the Pennyrile Electric meeting room. Conrad says Hendricks was one of five candidates considered and the only candidate interviewed for the position.
Hendricks will take over leadership of the three-county economic development organization February 1. Hendricks replaces Director Mark Lindsey, who is stepping down January 24 to become a Financial Advisor with Baird Financial, formerly Hilliard Lyons, in Hopkinsville.
Conrad says the board wants Hendricks to focus on existing industry, while always keeping an eye out for new manufacturers.
The move will give Hendricks a pay raise from his current Mayor’s salary of more than $74,000. EDC Board Chairman Lee Conrad says Hendricks will receive a starting salary of $150,000 per year. Conrad says he will not be under contract and will work at the pleasure of the board. Outgoing EDC Mark Lindsey’s salary is currently $180,000 per year.
Hendricks was first elected Mayor in 2014. When he took office January 1, 2015, he became the second-youngest Mayor in City history. He was elected to a second term in 2018.
Hendricks says this is not the first time he has thought about putting his name in the hat for EDC Director.
Hendricks says helping the community be prepared to recruit new industry is one of his main goals.
He says he wants to aggressively pursue new industry to the region.
Hendricks has a number of accomplishments under his belt as the leader of Hopkinsville. Accomplishments include the Hopkinsville WINS Program that resulted in the construction of the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex, Joe Mumford Park and a planned expansion of the Hopkinsville Rail Trail.
According to Kentucky statute, Hopkinsville City Council will be tasked with selecting a new Mayor after Hendricks’ resignation. If the council fails to select a Mayor within 30 days, the Governor will appoint a new Mayor.
