How a Community-First Mindset Built a Career in Economic Development
Dr. Nicole Wadsworth didn’t plan her career around headlines or high offices. Her work was shaped by everyday people, small towns, and quiet conversations in city halls, classrooms, and food banks.
She didn’t set out to become one of Alabama’s most respected voices in economic development. But after visiting every county in the state more than 25 times, she earned that title the hard way—by showing up, listening, and helping local leaders turn big problems into practical solutions.
“I didn’t come in with answers,” Wadsworth says. “I came to listen.”
What Does Nicole Wadsworth Do?
Nicole Wadsworth is a site selector, economic development consultant, and commercial real estate strategist. She holds four degrees, including a PhD, an MBA, and an MS in Acquisition and Contract Management. As one of the first professionals in Alabama to earn the EDAA Leadership Certification, she has become widely recognized in the Nicole Wadsworth Alabama business and economic development community.
Her day-to-day work focuses on helping towns and cities grow in ways that make sense. That might mean attracting a new manufacturer to a rural industrial park, repurposing an abandoned building downtown, or helping a food bank apply for a grant.
She understands the rules of zoning, grants, infrastructure, and planning. But she also knows how to sit at a kitchen table and ask a retired factory worker what the town really needs.
“Some of the best economic advice I’ve ever received came from someone who’d never been to a planning meeting,” she says. “People know their own communities. You just have to ask.”
From Empty Buildings to New Beginnings
Wadsworth has walked through many shuttered plants and worn-out storefronts. She sees more than lost jobs. She sees opportunity.
In one case, she visited a town where a factory had closed years ago. The space was crumbling, and most people had given up on it. But she spoke to a woman who used to work there—and whose father had too.
“There was history in that building,” she says. “You could feel it.”
That factory is now being redeveloped for a new company that plans to hire locally. It won’t bring back the past, but it will create a new future.
Why Food Security Became Part of the Mission
Wadsworth also learned early on that you can’t build an economy if people are hungry.
In Alabama, nearly 1 in 6 people face food insecurity. Many are working families. Some are veterans. Others are students.
Nicole not only donates to food banks, she also helps them find funding and resources.
“I remember donating before a holiday weekend,” she says. “The shelves were bare, but the line outside was long. That sticks with you.”
She believes food security isn’t separate from workforce development. It’s the foundation of it.
The I Shop Local Campaign: A Small Idea That Made a Big Difference
One of Wadsworth’s most recognised projects is the I Shop Local campaign, launched in partnership with the SBA.
It started with simple feedback from small businesses who said they were losing local customers to big-box stores and online retailers. Nicole saw a way to turn that concern into action.
The campaign gave communities tools to promote their local businesses. It raised awareness about how money spent locally stays local. It also helped towns build pride around their own economies.
“When people support their neighbours, the economy is stronger,” she says. “It’s that simple.”
Lessons From Early Mistakes
Her approach wasn’t always this dialled in. One of her early projects looked great on paper but didn’t include local input.
The plan didn’t go through—and for good reason.
“That failure taught me to slow down and listen,” she says. “Every project since has started with the community, not a spreadsheet.”
That shift shaped everything that followed. It’s why she still shows up in person. It’s why she attends town meetings, even when she’s not on the agenda. It’s why she’s known across the state, not for self-promotion, but for results.
Working With Her Family—and Building for the Future
Wadsworth’s husband, Tim, is a state representative. They often work together on community projects and policy issues. Their children also volunteer at food banks and community events.
For Nicole, service isn’t a slogan. It’s something you do.
“You teach leadership by example,” she says. “That’s how we live.”
She also serves on the boards of organisations related to agriculture, planning, and historic preservation.
Each role helps her connect more dots between what a town needs and how to make it happen.
Final Thoughts
Nicole Wadsworth’s story is not about quick wins. It’s about long-term commitment.
She didn’t build her career in a capital city or from a high-rise office. She built it in rural schools, on broken sidewalks, and in fire stations and food pantries.
She believes growth doesn’t start with money or buildings. It starts with people.
“If you want to build something that lasts,” she says, “you have to start by showing up.”
That mindset—practical, grounded, and deeply local—continues to guide her work across Alabama’s 67 counties. And it’s helping towns find the confidence to grow again, one step at a time.
Himani Verma is a seasoned content writer and SEO expert, with experience in digital media. She has held various senior writing positions at enterprises like CloudTDMS (Synthetic Data Factory), Barrownz Group, and ATZA. Himani has also been Editorial Writer at Hindustan Time, a leading Indian English language news platform. She excels in content creation, proofreading, and editing, ensuring that every piece is polished and impactful. Her expertise in crafting SEO-friendly content for multiple verticals of businesses, including technology, healthcare, finance, sports, innovation, and more.
