Alexandria, LA, (May 23, 2024) – Greg Upton, recently appointed by Alexandria Councilman Lee Rubin and the new chairman of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (GAEDA), has called a special meeting to discuss the liquidation of GAEDA. This move comes after nearly two decades of the organization’s successful operation and has sparked concern among citizens regarding the future of local funding for numerous community programs.
The meeting, scheduled for 8:00 a.m. at the Alexandria City Hall, will consider hiring Barbara Melton as the liquidating attorney to prepare a detailed Plan of Liquidation. This plan will involve winding up GAEDA’s operations and is set to be completed by September 30, 2024. A key part of this process includes the repeal of the hotel occupancy tax currently levied by GAEDA.
Over the past three years, GAEDA has provided significant funding to various local organizations:
- $132,000 to the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Bureau
- $105,000 to the Alexandria Museum of Art
- $11,000 to the Future Farmers of America
- $28,000 to the Rapides Parish Coliseum
- $40,000 to the Rapides Symphony Orchestra
- $71,000 to the River Oaks Arts Center
These contributions have been vital for the sustenance and growth of these entities, and the prospect of losing such funding has raised alarms within the community. Residents are questioning whether alternative funds, such as the recreational tax, will be diverted to compensate, and whether utility bills will see an increase to offset the financial shortfall.
One concerned citizen asked, “Will funding be taken from the recreational tax?” while another queried, “Will we see yet higher utility bills to offset the losses from this tax?”
The GAEDA Board of Commissioners includes Vice-Chair Curtis Lewis, Secretary/Treasurer Paula Katz, and members John Carroll, Chris Patel, Ronald Morgan, and John Callis. Their special meeting agenda highlights the following key actions:
- Hiring a Liquidating Attorney: To hire Barbara Melton to draft and present a Plan of Liquidation by July 12, 2024.
- Repeal of the Hotel Occupancy Tax: To revoke the hotel occupancy tax imposed by GAEDA.
- Liquidation Timeline: To set a timeline to complete the shutdown by September 30, 2024.
Additionally, all scheduled GAEDA Commission meetings are canceled effective immediately. GAEDA employees are instructed to fully cooperate with the liquidating attorney, providing all necessary records and access to ensure a smooth liquidation process.
The public will have the opportunity to voice their concerns during the comments period, limited to three minutes per person, pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute 42:14.
As Alexandria braces for the implications of this significant development, the community anxiously awaits the outcomes of the special meeting and the potential impacts on local programs and services that have long relied on GAEDA’s support.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
