News Staff Report
Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority, the economic development division of Poarch Band of Creek Indians, announced last week the recent purchase of Atmore’s 80-room Holiday Inn Express, located off Alabama 21 at Interstate 65.
“The Holiday Inn Express brand has a long standing reputation (for) their standard of excellence for customer service and guest experience,” said Stephanie A. Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. “We are excited to add this hotel to our investment properties and are positive that this purchase will help our community grow in the process.”
According to a press release issued by CIEDA, the Atmore hotel, which will reportedly undergo a complete renovation, represents PCI’s seventh hotel investment property and its fourth partnership with the Yedla Management Group, which will oversee the local hotel’s day-to-day operations.
Cody Williamson, who was recently named president and CEO of the PCI economic development arm, said the location of Holiday Inn Express-Atmore, which is near the tribe’s casino and entertainment center, made it an ideal addition to the tribe’s roster of commercial properties.
“This property is a great addition to our current portfolio,” Williamson said. “It’s perfectly situated in a high traffic area of I-65, so we are expecting continued growth to its already loyal customer base.”
Rochel Martin, the hotel’s general manager, said she expects the refurbishing, along with the Holiday Inn rewards program, to increase an already significant customer base.
“Our occupancy rates are already high, but we are confident that after the remodel, we will attract an even larger customer base,” Martin said.
Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority manages the tribe’s community owned enterprises, a diverse collection of properties that includes those related to the travel, entertainment, food service, manufacturing, and retail industries.