Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority

The Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority is a five-county economic development partnership located in southwest Alabama. Member counties are [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choctaw_County,_Alabama Choctaw] , [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_County%2C_Alabama Clarke] , [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conecuh_County%2C_Alabama Conecuh] , [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escambia_County%2C_Alabama Escambia] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_County%2C_Alabama Monroe] .

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Mission

[http://www.cgeda.net/ Coastal Gateway Economic Development Authority’s] primary mission is to market and promote the assets of its member counties.
[http://www.cgeda.net/ CGEDA] will carry out its mission and fulfill its goals by partnering with the local chambers of commerce, the local county economic development authorities, local industrial development boards and local city and county governments.

Quality of Life in the Region

Imagine a place where you can awake to the clean scent of a pine forest, where you’re a short drive from the crystalline white beaches and sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a place where you can walk down the street and actually know the people you see… and where your business can thrive, thanks to a combination of favorable conditions difficult to find elsewhere.

Housing costs are well below the national average but the quality of life is among the highest in the nation. Housing in the Coastal Gateway Region is very affordable, and when you consider that Alabama has some of the lowest property taxes in the nation, you can afford that much more. The region also offers an attractive year round climate (annual average mean temperature of 64° F), lower utility costs, shorter commutes and a skilled workforce.

Recreational activities abound, from hunting and fishing to water sports, hiking and more. The area’s mild climate provides residents a host of outdoor activities, from teeing off on nearby world-class golf courses; to playing tennis, softball or basketball at municipal parks; hiking in state parks; hunting in any of the state’s 26 wildlife management areas; and fishing in either fresh water (Alabama boasts the nation’s largest river system, along with more than 500,000 acres of lakes) or saltwater. Or, you can simply relax at what are arguably the prettiest beaches in the world.

The Coastal Gateway Region is rich in cultural attractions, as well, with festivals that celebrate the area’s literary heritage, its agricultural roots, railroad days and its Native American heritage. While less than an hour from Mobile, home of North America’s oldest Mardi Gras celebration, the communities of the Coastal Gateway Region celebrate their own culture with a variety of annual festivals.

Cities and towns within the region

Choctaw County:
*Butler
*Gilbertown
*Lisman
*Needham
*Pennington
*Silas
*Toxey

Clarke County:
*Coffeeville
*Fulton
*Grove Hill
*Jackson
*Thomasville

Conecuh County:
*Castleberry
*Evergreen
*Repton

Escambia County:
*Atmore
*Brewton
*East Brewton
*Flomaton
*Pollard
*Riverview

Monroe County:
*Beatrice
*Excel
*Frisco City
*Monroeville

External links: Economic Development Partners

Cities & Towns
* [http://www.townofbeatrice.com/ Beatrice]
* [http://www.cityofbrewton.org/ Brewton]
* [http://www.evergreenal.org/ Evergreen]
* [http://www.grovehillal.com/ Grove Hill]
* [http://www.thomasvilleal.com/ Thomasville] Counties
* [http://www.clarkecountyal.com/ Clarke County]
* [http://www.clarkecountyal.com/ Escambia County] Poarch Band of Creek Indians
* [http://www.creekindianenterprises.org/ Creek Indian Enterprises]
* [http://www.pcigaming.com/coda/creek_casino.html PCI Gaming] Local Chambers of Commerce
* [http://www.atmorechamber.com/ Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.brewtonchamber.com/ Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.monroecountyal.com/ Monroeville / Monroe Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.southwestalabamachamber.com/ Southwest Alabama Chamber (Thomasville)]
* [http://www.jacksonalabama.org/ Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.choctawcountyinfo.com/ Choctaw Chamber of Commerce (Butler)] Local Economic Development Authorities
* [http://www.clarkecountyal.com/industrial_development.htm/ Clarke County IDA]
* [http://www.escambiaida.com/ Escambia County IDA] Utilities
* [http://www.powersouth.com/ PowerSouth]
* [http://skynet.southernco.com/ecdweb/ Alabama Power]
* [http://www.southalabamagas.org/ South Alabama Gas]
* [http://www.connecttoatt.com/bellsouth/index.html?mrc=ps-ctatt-g-BS-at-t+alabama&s_kwcid=at%26t%20alabama|1771378943 AT&T]
* [http://www.frontieronline.com/ Frontier Communications] Workforce Development
* [http://www.atn.org/ Alabama Technology Network]
* [http://www.aidt.edu/ AIDT] "'Secondary Education’’’
* [http://www.jeffdavis.cc.al.us/ Jefferson Davis Community College]
* [http://www.rstc.cc.al.us/ Reid State Technical College]
* [http://www.ascc.edu/ Alabama Southern Community College] State Organizations
* [http://www.adeca.alabama.gov/ Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs]
* [http://dir.alabama.gov/ Alabama Department of Industrial Relations]
* [http://www.ado.state.al.us/ Alabama Development Office]
* [http://alabama.gov/ State of Alabama]
* [http://www.edaa.org/ Economic Development Association of Alabama]
* [http://www.edpa.org/ Economic Development Partnership of Alabama]
* [http://sarpc.org/ South Alabama Regional Planning Commission]
* [http://bcatoday.org/ Business Council of Alabama]
* [http://www.ador.state.al.us/ Alabama Department of Revenue]

References

* [http://www.atmoreadvance.com/articles/2008/01/17/news/news1.txt Merger includes two additional counties]
* [http://www.autopilotmagazine.com/articles/articleview.aspx?artID=1189 Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Authority]