By JIM BUTLER
After two years of turmoil the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority continues doing a primary function under its enabling legislation — putting heads in beds.
Boosting extended-stay visitor numbers through funding assistance for meetings, conventions, and other events, the theory is, puts new money in play in the community.
Critics assert most of the activity would occur regardless the subsidies, that helping with meals, marketing and advertising is not truly economic development.
The current four commissioners (three other seats are unfilled) this month approved 16 requests totaling $86,000 for assistance, each of which went through a protracted application process.
Three are Cooperative Endeavor Agreements, each getting up to $10,000. They are:
Alexandria Museum of Art, for 2026 exhibition series; Rapides Symphony Orchestra, for 2026 concert series; Central Louisiana Juneteenth Association, 2026 celebration, June and October, throughout city.
Three events are defined as actual statewide gatherings:
Louisiana Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mid-Winter Conference, January 22-25, Hotel Bentley, $5,000; VFW State Convention, May 14-17, Randolph Riverfront Center, $10,000; Grand Lodge of Louisiana F&AM 215th Annual Session, April 17-18, Randolph Riverfront, $5,000.
Sports events were allocated $24,500. They are:
LSU Alexandria – Red River Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament, February 27-March 1, Coliseum, $5,000; NAIA Basketball Tournament, March 12-14, $1,500; tennis tournament, April 8-12, city courts and Alexandria Athletic & Racquet Club, $5,000; Manna House, AmPro Tour Golf Tournament, Links on the Bayou, April 13-18, $10,000; Friends of Bringhurst, Bayou Rapides Invitational, Links on the Bayou, March 21-22, $3,000.
Religion-related events are allocated $16,500:
Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Hotel Bentley, February 26-March 1, $2,000; United Educational Missionary Baptist Association NBLA Great Commission Church Summit, Holiday Inn Downtown and Randolph Riverfront, February 23-25, $2,000; St. Matthews Baptist Church, An Evening of Spirituals, February 12, $2,500.