A welcome gift.

That’s how Marsha Gaylard described the $12,500 grant from the Southeast Alabama Gas District to the Pike County Economic Development Corporation.

Gaylard, president of the corporation, received the grant funds on Thursday during the monthly meeting of the SEAGD board members.

“The member cities on the board each receive funds to be used for economic development,” she said. “The funds are to be used for the purpose of promoting prospective customers of the gas district and developing economic interests in the communities the gas district serves.”

Each member city can designate how these funds are distributed.

“And I want to personally thank Mr. (Charles) Meeks,” said Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford. “During his tenure on the gas district board he has consistently given these funds to the Pike County Economic Development Corp., to be used for economic development throughout Pike County.”

The $12,500, which is the largest grant any member city can receive, will be used to help in the recruitment and development efforts, Gaylard said.

Other members cities in the district include places such as Brundidge, Andalusia, Eufaula, Enterprise, Opp and Greenville, among others.