Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority (CIEDA) has joined Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance (CGEDA) as their newest member on the Board of Directors. CIEDA previously invested in and served on the board of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority.

Tim Martin, President and C.E.O. of Creek Indian Enterprises, will represent CIEDA on the CGEDA Board of Directors. Donna Henry, Economic Development Coordinator at Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority, will serve on the Board of Directors in the absence of Martin.

Working as the economic development arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, CIEDA oversees the non-gaming enterprises owned by the Tribe. CIEDA actively supports each business achieving their specific business goals and to grow and maintain economic sustainability as put forth by the CIEDA Board of Directors and Tribal Council. Additionally, CIEDA executes and oversees building, construction and development projects commissioned by the Tribe.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is an active partner in the state of Alabama and the Coastal Gateway region, contributing to economic, educational, social and cultural projects benefiting both tribal members and residents of these local communities and neighboring towns. Within the past year, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians donated 1.6 million to local area schools.

Jim Searcy, Executive Director of CGEDA said, "We welcome CIEDA as the newest investor in CGEDA and are delighted to have Tim Martin on our Board of Directors. CIEDA and the entire Tribal operation is an economic driver for the region and will be an important catalyst as we move forward."

Martin said, "Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority is committed to supporting economic growth within the region and the state. We look forward to working with Coastal Gateway as the Alliance guides the region's economic development efforts."

CGEDA is governed by a dedicated group of community and business leaders who believe in the importance in regional economic development for Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe Counties. The board is comprised solely of investors of the private and public sector.The CGEDA Board is a significant asset to the area with representatives from every facet of our local economy and each of our counties.

Current CGEDA Executive Board Officers include: Chairman Commissioner David Stokes, Escambia County Commission; Vice-Chairman Dr. John Johnson, Representative of George Landegger, Parsons and Whittemore; Secretary Larry Woods, Alabama Power Company; and Treasurer Mayor Ted Jennings, City of Brewton. At-Large Executive Board Members include: Mayor Howard Shell, City of Atmore; Commissioner Karen Bradford, Clarke County Commission; Mayor Mike Kennedy, City of Monroeville; Mayor Pete Wolff, City of Evergreen; Mayor Sheldon Day, City of Thomasville; and Sam Covert, Alabama Power Company.

CGEDA Board Members include: Mayor Ben Smith, Town of Butler; Chip Harrigan, Fulton Logging Company; Bryan Jones, Crowne Management, LLC; Mayor Jerry Newton and City Councilman Levon Hicks, Town of Grove Hill; Tim Martin, Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority; Mayor Richard Long, City of Jackson; Vince Johnson, Southern Pine Electric Co-Op; Paul England, BankTrust; Tom McMillan, McMillan, Ltd.; Shepherd Marsh, First National Bank and Trust; Mayor Terri Carter, Town of Repton; Tim Dantz, Bank of Evergreen; and Stan Wilson, Clarke-Washington EMC.

Current CGEDA investors include: AT&T, Alabama Power Company, Bank of Evergreen, BankTrust Charitable Foundation, BankTrust Monroeville, BD & S Services, Inc. - in kind, City of Atmore, City of Brewton, City of Evergreen, City of Jackson, City of Monroeville, City of Thomasville, Clarke County Commission, Crowne Management LLC, Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority, Escambia County Commission, First National Bank & Trust of Atmore, Fulton Logging Company, George Landegger, Parsons and Whittemore, Harrigan Lumber, McMillan, Ltd., Southern Pine Electric Co-Op, The Securance Group, Town of Butler, Town of Grove Hill, The Town of Repton and Clarke-Washington EMC.

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