CHOCTAW, Miss. – John Hendrix, Economic Development Director for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, was recently awarded the 2025 Chris Thompson Economic Development Professional Excellence Award by the United South & Eastern Tribes, Inc. This prestigious award is given annually to a Tribal economic development professional, recognizing innovation, dedication, and contributions to the economic development success of a USET member Tribal nation community.

Hendrix has served as Economic Development Director for MBCI since 2005, focusing on strategic initiatives that build long-term economic resilience and create sustainable opportunities for future generations. His recent contributions to the Tribe include:

• Participating in more than $100 million in community development financing initiatives to develop new assets on Tribal lands using new markets tax credits, revolving loan funds, bank financing, and federal loan programs
• Securing more than $20 million in grant funding from 12 different public and private funders including EDA, BIA, ANA, USDA, NCAT, WK Kellogg, First Nations Development Institute, and Rural-LISC
• Leading development of a new carbon credit project that is expected to generate millions of dollars in sustainable Tribal revenue for the next 20 years
• Securing $6 million in grant funding to develop a new state-of-the-art Advanced Workforce Training Center that will build Tribal member capacity in vocational/technical, healthcare, digital fabrication, and computer/IT skills to support the community’s economic future
• Leading a decade-long effort to extend natural gas service into the Tribe’s largest community, which strengthens the Tribe’s energy resilience and positions the community for long-term economic stability through reduced energy costs
• Coordinating efforts to secure funding to extend high-speed broadband services to every home on Tribal lands, ensuring digital equity and enabling access to telehealth, remote education, and economic opportunities for all Tribal members on the reservation
• Evaluating more than 100 investment opportunities for the Tribe seeking to grow and diversify the Tribe’s economy
• Leading the effort for MBCI to become the first community in Mississippi to achieve TVA’s Rural Certified Community status demonstrating the professionalism of the Tribe’s economic development team

Hendrix is a Certified Economic Developer, Economic Development Finance Professional, and Project Management Professional. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree.

About the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, under the leadership of Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben, is the only federally recognized Tribe in the State of Mississippi. With over 11,000 members, Choctaw lands cover over 35,000 acres in 10 counties. Providing permanent, full-time jobs for over 5,000 Tribal and non-Tribal employees, the Tribe is a major contributor to the state’s economy, generating $1 billion in economic impact. Learn more at www.mschoctawbusiness.com.