ALEXANDRIA, La. (3/26/2025) – The GAEDA Special Call Meeting convened Monday, March 24, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. inside the Bolton Avenue Community Center.
Representatives from the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce, Manna House, and Louisiana Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars expressed frustration.
Their projects, historically supported by GAEDA, failed to receive funding during a prior regularly scheduled meeting.
Commissioners John Carroll and Chris Patel either voted no or abstained, preventing approval of those items.
Before the special meeting, GAEDA Commissioner Steven McGee, Executive Director Angela Varnado, and City Economic Development Director Rick Ranson had a heated exchange.
They debated the allocation of grant funds and the organization’s policy history.
Varnado discussed past block grant systems, though no vote occurred to reinstate them.
McGee emphasized transparency and accountability, reaffirming GAEDA’s mission to improve quality of life and economic development.
Ranson disagreed, expressing that some organizations on the agenda should not receive GAEDA funding.
The conversation escalated, leading McGee to say, “No, I didn’t say coming strong. I said you come strong-arming.”
Ranson exited the venue before the meeting began.
Following the session, Commissioner Dr. Curtis Lewis posted a clarification on Facebook regarding GAEDA’s authority.
Lewis cited City of Alexandria Ordinance 286-2003, particularly Section V, stating GAEDA can fund both city and private entities.
Lewis noted there is no exclusivity clause limiting GAEDA’s partnerships to the city alone.
Still, he emphasized that GAEDA maintains a strong working relationship with the City of Alexandria.
All funding items on the GAEDA Special Call Meeting agenda passed successfully.
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