What is your name?

Jake Nickens

Where do you work and what is your job title?

Incentive Program Manager for Summit Credits

How long have you been in economic development?

9 years

How did you get started in economic development?

Learned about the University of Southern Mississippi's MSED program while finishing my undergraduate degree and quickly realized a passion for the work.

Tell us how your community is great.

My first economic development job was in Business Retention. I quickly recognized that many companies I met with, particularly small-midsize companies were not able to truly utilize many of incentive programs available to them either through lack of program expertise and familiarity or staff capacity. Working primarily in the Gulf South I've come to appreciate the difference that these resources can make. A $50k property tax abatement or payroll rebate may be the difference in a company being able to create one more job. In working for Sumit Credits I've been able to help companies of all sizes not just negotiate incentives but also work through the various applications and reporting to ensure benefit reception.

How has being a member of SEDC benefited you?

Excellent opportunity to stay plugged in to the wider world of Economic Development.

What is something you/your organization has accomplished that you are most proud of?

We recently helped negotiate the $106 million Coca-Cola expansion in Alexandria Louisiana.

Where is your favorite spot in your community and why?

I recently moved back to my home town of Hattiesburg MS and I've really fallen in love with the re-vitalized downtown. Lucky Rabbit and the Pocket Museum are popular destinations for my family.

What is a current podcast or book you would recommend?

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History or Common Sense podcasts are top notch. In terms of books I just finished Breath by James Nestor and cannot recommend enough.

What is your guilty pleasure TV show?

I love a lot of TV, but don't really feel guilty about any of it, ha. Maybe "Traitors" though. Not exactly proud about how invested I get in that one.

What is something you do in your free time?

I really like cooking, and have been experimenting a lot with bread, particularly sourdough.

When you were younger, what did you envision yourself being when you grew up?

Batman

Who is on your Economic Development Mount Rushmore?

George McLean, Chris Gibbons, and Robert Ingram