Travelers on I-65, near the Atmore area, will soon have a new place to fuel up with the opening of the Creek Travel Plaza later this month.

Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority is the economic development arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, announced Friday the upcoming grand opening of its newest development. The official grand opening event is planned for Labor Day Weekend, with a ribbon cutting scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 1 at 9 a.m.

Monday, Sept. 3, an on-site appearance by the Shell-Pennzoil #22 NASCAR and a NASCAR simulator ride are both scheduled to be on location from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. NASCAR fans will have a special chance to get up-close and personal with a replica of the car AJ

Allmendinger is driving this season. In addition to being able to see the #22 NASCAR, visitors will be able to take a spin in the NASCAR racing simulator to experience what their favorite driver encounters on race day.

In addition to the fun activities at the grand opening, grand opening special offers will be available and visitors will  be eligible to win prizes and giveaways at the Creek Travel Plaza located just off I-65 exit 54 at 4740 Jack springs Road. The Shell branded Creek Travel Plaza, sits just three miles south of Wind Creek Casino and Hotel, will provide amenities for travelers. This facility will provide shuttle service to and from the casino, offer free overnight parking and will provide truck drivers amenities such as showers, laundry, a driver’s lounge and many of the financial and business services truckers need to keep them working on the road. In addition to giving truckers a comfortable place to rest and access to the entertainment options in and around Wind Creek Casino, Creek Travel Plaza will be offering free play with fill-ups.

See store for restrictions.

On site, the Creek Travel Plaza has a 24-hour 1950’s style-diner, a Chester’s Chicken, a beer cave and a fully stocked convenience store to supply all types of motorists needs. RV’s and motor coaches are welcome and they can enjoy the easy access to the facilities and amenities specific to their needs such as overnight parking and an onsite dump station.

Created as an economic stimulator to the area, the Creek Travel Plaza is expected to employ a staff of approximately 45 individuals and will offer up to eleven outparcels for additional retail businesses once the project is complete.

James T. Martin, President and CEO of Creek Indian Enterprises Development

Authority said his team is proud of their newest addition.

“We are proud to be bringing another enterprise to the Atmore area that will continue to increase the number of job opportunities in this area and helps addresses the need for more retail options in this community,” Martin said.

CIE officials said that, because of the limited number of travel plazas along I-65 in this area that offer overnight truck parking, it was determined that a quality overnight travel plaza would serve the I- 65 travelers well. The first phase of this project has been the construction of the 10,000 square foot full-service multi-use travel plaza and rest area. The Creek Travel Plaza will be operational 24 hours per day,7 days per week.