Richmond Hires Grants Specialist for Industrial Park

Richmond hired Stephanie Nelson as its Industrial Economic Development Grants and Marketing Specialist, a position the Board of Commissioners approved in August 2025. Nelson brings a decade of nonprofit experience and expertise in state and federal grant procurement.

Nelson earned a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Kentucky State University. She spent four years with the Kentucky Association for Economic Developers working on marketing and site selection across the state, then served as Central Kentucky Field Representative for U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, covering 19 counties. She has lived in Richmond for five years.

City Manager Rob Minerich called Nelson's grant and networking expertise "a tremendous asset to our already robust economic development team." RIDC Executive Director David Stipes said the corporation has seen increased interest in the industrial park's build-ready sites. "This is the perfect time to strategically grow our team," Stipes said.

Richmond Industrial Park offers nearly one million square feet of build-ready property. Richmond ranks as the second fastest-growing city in Kentucky.