Carter Hendricks
Executive Director, SWK Economic Development Council
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Economic Developer for 3-county region in South Western KY
Phone (270) 885-1499
Economic Developer for 3-county region in South Western KY
Property Types
Industrial, Land
Markets
Nashville
Bio
Carter M. Hendricks has served as the Executive Director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council since February 1, 2020. Prior to this role, Carter served as Hopkinsville, Kentucky’s second youngest Mayor from January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2020.
In these roles, Carter has helped to lead the region during the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Festival and to earning All American City Finalist status and the highest TVA Livability Score in 2020. In addition, the region has enjoyed a variety of community recognitions such as Tree City, USA, Most Patriotic City, Great American Defense Community, TVA Sustainable Community, and State of Kentucky Work Ready Certified Community.
Carter has also served as the President/CEO of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce from 2010-2014. During his tenure at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber earned 5-star accreditation and was a 2013 National Chamber of the Year Finalist. Prior to his tenure as President/CEO, Hendricks served as the Senior Vice President and Military Affairs Director at the Chamber from 2005-2009.
Carter’s previous professional experiences include teacher, coach, after school supervisor, grant coordinator, college instructor, and AmeriCorps member.
Carter recently received his certificate for completing the Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s certification program. In 2011, Carter graduated from the US Chamber’s prestigious Institute on Organizational Management. Additionally, Carter earned an undergraduate degree, as a Political Science and History major, from Western Kentucky University and a graduate degree, emphasis on education, from Concordia University-Saint Paul, MN.
Carter has been the recipient of the KRPS Public Official of the Year (2018), City of Hopkinsville Mayor’s Make Your Mark Award, the Sherry Jeffers Leadership Award through Leadership Hopkinsville, the Kiwanian of the Year Award through Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club, the Pennyrile Area Development District’s William B. Bryan Leadership Award, and the National Area Development Organization’s Innovation Award. Carter, a graduate of Leadership Fort Campbell, is also the recipient of various military recognitions and commendations including the recent designation of Honorary Member of the 187th Infantry Regiment.
Carter currently serves on the Murray State University Economic Development Advisory Board, the Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Fort Campbell Strong Defense Alliance, and as an active Kiwanian. Carter has been active on a variety of local and regional boards and commissions including serving as the Past President of the Hoptown Hoppers, Past President and Advisor to the President of the Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club, Past President and board member for the Kentucky/Tennessee Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, and Deacon and Sunday School Director at Olivet Baptist Church in Herndon, Kentucky.
Carter is married to Faye Eleanor Hendricks and is the proud dad of Lily Kaye (19) and Chase (17). When Carter’s not recruiting a company or coaching track and field, he enjoys time with his family, hiking, exercising, and travel.
