EXHIBIT 10.22

                            NATIONAL COAL CORPORATION
                            8915 George Williams Road
                           Knoxville, Tennessee 37923

September 20, 2005

Kenneth F. Hodak
1262 Polo Lake Drive
Ellisville, Mo. 63021

Re:  Employment Offer

Dear Ken:

On behalf of  National  Coal  Corporation,  I am  pleased  to extend an offer of
employment  with out Company for the position of Executive  Vice  President  and
Chief Operating Officer. This position will report directly to me.

Through your experience and expertise,  National Coal is confident you will make
an important  contribution  to this Company.  We look forward to you joining our
team.

National  Coal is offering to you a  compensation  package,  which  includes the
following:

     1.   BASE SALARY:  Your annual salary shall be $240,000.00,  which shall be
          payable semi-monthly;

     2.   BONUS:  You shall be  eligible  to  receive  an annual  bonus of up to
          one-half  of your  annual  salary,  to be  determined  based upon your
          performance and attainment of goals as agreed by senior management and
          to the Board;

     3.   STOCK  OPTIONS:  Upon your  commencement  of  employment,  you will be
          granted  the option to  purchase  100,000  shares of stock of National
          Coal Corp., the Florida parent  corporation,  at the "strike price" on
          the date of your execution and return of this Employment Offer,  which
          shall vest 25% each year on the  anniversary  date of your  employment
          for the next four years;

     4.   SIGNING BONUS: Upon your commencement of employment, you shall be paid
          a signing  bonus of  $85,000.00,  conditioned  upon your  remaining an
          employee  for not less than 12 months  and which  shall be paid as you
          elect in a lump sum or in installments;

     5.   MOVING  EXPENSES:  Upon  your  moving  to  Tennessee  to  assume  this
          position,  you will be  reimbursed  for your  "out of  pocket"  moving
          expenses up to $10,000.00, excluding any real estate commissions;


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     6.   SEVERANCE:

          (A)  If your employment is terminated by the Company without cause and
               for the convenience of the Company,  except pursuant to a "change
               of control" as provided  in below  subsection  (B),  you shall be
               paid  severance  compensation  equal to six  months  of your then
               current rate of salary and your stock options  shall  continue to
               vest and be  exercisable  in conformity  with the Company  policy
               (Termination  of employment "for cause" shall render all unvested
               stock options to be void.); and

          (B)  if your  employment is terminated by the Company as a result of a
               "change of  control"  of the  Company and the "change of control"
               occurs  within  one  year  of  your  date  of   commencement   of
               employment, you shall be paid severance compensation equal to one
               year's  salary and your stock  options  shall vest in  conformity
               with Company policy;

     7.   ANNUAL REVIEW: Your performance will be reviewed annually and you will
          be provided a meeting to discuss your review.

     8.   ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

          (A)  A  Company  owned  and  maintained  automobile  suitable  to your
               position and  appropriate for the performance of your duties will
               be provided to you for your use;

          (B)  The Company  will  provide to you a cellular  telephone  for your
               use;

          (C)  The Company will acquire  "key-man"  life insurance in the amount
               of  $2,000,000.00  for  which  the  beneficiary  shall be 1/2 the
               Company and 1/2 as you direct;

          (D)  The  Company  shall   provide  to  you   temporary   housing  and
               reimbursement  for your  meals  for a period of 3 months or until
               you are able to move to Tennessee, which ever is earlier;

          (E)  The Company shall reimburse you for the costs of your travel from
               your current resident to Knoxville, Tennessee, and back as may be
               necessary  to  enable  you  move to  Tennessee  and to sell  your
               current residence:

          (F)  The Company  shall  provide to you the usual and normal  benefits
               provided to its employees as set forth in the Employee  Handbook,
               including but not limited to, health insurance,  vacation,  costs
               of maintenance of your professional  status, and  indemnification
               for your acts taken for the  benefit of the Company and not taken
               willfully  with the intent to bring  injury or  disrepute  to the
               Company.


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We are pleased to extend this offer to you and look forward working with you. If
this offer is  acceptable,  please sign and date on the below provided lines and
return the signed copy to us by mail and facsimile transmission.

Sincerely,
National Coal Corporation


/s/ Jon E. Nix
-------------------------
Jon E. Nix
President



I, Kenneth F. Hodak,  do hereby  accept the  employment  offer of National  Coal
corporation  as  above  set  forth  and I agree  there  are no  other  terms  or
conditions, either expressed or implied.

/s/ Kenneth F. Hodak                             September 20, 2005
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Kenneth F. Hodak                                 Date