GARNER – The Town of Garner has hired Nathaniel “Nate” Groover as its next economic development director starting Oct. 24.
Groover brings 11 years of experience as an economic development professional with state and regional organizations, including three years of local government experience. He served as a senior manager of business recruitment for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina for over five years where he managed projects in collaboration with the N.C. Department of Commerce and local partners, including the Town of Garner.
His recruitment efforts and knowledge of incentives, taxes, commercial and industrial real estate, labor markets workforce training and infrastructure led to the establishment of 62 businesses, 14,788 jobs and more than $3.6 billion in capital investment in the state.
Most recently, Groover has been the economic development manager for Timmons Group where he directed business development efforts in the Triangle and Eastern North Carolina and served as the client manager for economic development projects for their clients and local government partners.
“We are excited to have Nate lead our economic development team and continue the exemplary work that the department has done over the past several years,” Assistant Town Manager John Hodges said. “His extensive experience, established partnerships and proven track record will be assets to the Town as we continue to refine and implement our economic development strategic plan.”
Groover earned a bachelor of science degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida and has completed a number of courses toward the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer Program at East Carolina University as well as courses at the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. He is also a U.S. Air Force Veteran.
“I am honored and very pleased to have been selected to serve the citizens of Garner as their next economic development director,” Groover said. “I look forward to building on the great work that has taken place and continuing to get the message out of that Garner is a great place for business.”
