• 201 Johnston Street, Ste 601, Alexandria, LA 71301
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Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Awarded
GAEDA is pleased to award the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with 49th PL Productions dba ETA Festivals in an amount not to exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) for the Louisiana Elvis Festival to be held February 23-25, 2023
Rapides Symphony Orchestra Awarded
GAEDA is pleased to award the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in an amount not to exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) for the 2023 Concert Series.
Alexandria Museum of Arts Awarded
GAEDA is pleased to award the Alexandria Museum of Arts in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) for the 2023 Exhibits and Cultural Programing.
River Oaks Square Arts Center Awarded
GAEDA is pleased to award the River Oaks Square Arts Center in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) for the 2023 Exhibition, Education & Event Series.
Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association Awarded
GAEDA is pleased to award the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association in an amount not to exceed amount of Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000) for assistance with meals and advertisement of the LCA Membership Convention to be held January 6-8, 2023.
Next Board Meeting - February 28, 2023
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 ~ 8:15 a.m.
The Hotel Bentley ~ The Claiborne Room
200 Desoto Street ~ Alexandria, LA 71301
GRANT PROGRAM
The purpose of GAEDA’s Grant Program is to (i) promote economic development through tourism activities and events (“Events”) within the corporate limits of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana that will increase hotel/motel occupancy; (ii) to enhance the image of Greater Alexandria and its communities; and (iii) to improve the quality of life by helping Events become established and self-supporting.

Events are eligible for funding through the Grant Program. Events should have a history of, or significant potential for, attracting out-of-parish visitors, either as participants or spectators, thereby generating hotel or motel room overnight occupancy. Events resulting in the occupancy of 100 or more hotel/motel rooms in Alexandria and generating national or state wide exposure for Alexandria will receive priority consideration. Please click here to learn more.
LEARN MORE
RESOURCES
Click on our “Resources” tab to find valuable resources and assistance with affordable housing
and commercial sector revitalization initiatives; as well as a network of organizations dedicated
to helping small businesses and community initiatives!
LEARN MORE
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The Mission of

GAEDA

“GAEDA is a visionary leader and catalyst to promote economic development creating a better quality of life for Alexandria’s citizens.”

How GAEDA was formed according to City Ordinance
View from GAEDA office in Downtown Alexandria

GAEDA is a driving force in helping to spur economic growth for the citizens of Alexandria, LA.

We work with government and private partners, as well as other stakeholders to develop projects and implement programs that enhance the overall quality of life for our residents. Our website will provide you with detailed information on GAEDA and it will provide you with helpful information on other useful resources.

Article VII, Section 14(C) of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana provides that “For a public purpose, the state and its political subdivision…may engage in cooperative endeavors with each other, with the United States or its agencies, or with any public or private association, corporation, or individual;” that being said the purpose of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (GAEDA) is to encourage and promote the economic development of the City of Alexandria, which includes all projects suitable to any industry determined by GAEDA to create economic development, including without limitation, projects to assist motels, hotels, conference facilities, places of entertainment, and any tourism related industry (La. Rev. Statute 33:2740.60).;

Grant Application

The purpose of GAEDA’s Grant Program is to (i) promote economic development through tourism activities and events (“Events”) within the corporate limits of the City of Alexandria, Louisiana that will increase hotel/motel occupancy; (ii) to enhance the image of Greater Alexandria and its communities; and (iii) to improve the quality of life by helping Events become established and self-supporting.
 
Events are eligible for funding through the Grant Program. Events should have a history of, or significant potential for, attracting out-of-parish visitors, either as participants or spectators, thereby generating hotel or motel room overnight occupancy. Events resulting in the occupancy of 100 or more hotel/motel rooms in Alexandria and generating national or state wide exposure for Alexandria will receive priority consideration. Please click here to learn more.

APPLY ONLINE

* Please contact the GAEDA office for more information (318) 880-0407*

Testimonials

Making a Difference in our Community

"GAEDA has been a great help to the Louisiana Early Childhood Association in helping us defray some of the expenses of our having our annual conference at the Riverfront Center. Ms. Varnado is always available to answer our questions. Thank you GAEDA."
Mary Lou MaplesLouisiana Early Childhood Association
"It has been a delightful and rewarding experience to work with the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority. The Staff is knowledgeable, professional and above all, sincerely interested in seeing the City of Alexandria grow and prosper. GAEDA’s funding has touched almost every segment of our community including affordable housing. Thanks to them we just completed a $350,000 Federal Home Loan Bank Grant to repair 50 homes for low-income senior homeowners and we were recently awarded another $495,000 FHLB repair grant. GAEDA has been a catalyst for bringing quality entertainment, sports, and cultural activities to Alexandria."
Willie SpearsExecutive Director​, GAEDA Revitalization Corporation
"The Disabled American Veterans Organization (DAV) has been working with the GAEDA Organization for the last four (4) years. We have had and continue to receive outstanding service and support from this organization. They are there to help with all aspects of the grant process. We have seen positive changes in the Alexandria Area, since we have been coming back into the Alexandria area, which I believe is due to their work and dedication to the area. We are a Non-Profit Organization. They have supported our organization with monetary assistance, which is crucial to the operation and mission of the Department of Louisiana DAV. Based on the grants they have provided; we have been able to not only spend money in the local area, but it also allows us to fund and support Disabled Veterans in the State of Louisiana."
H. Paul Hermann, Jr. PDC Dept. of Louisiana Adjutant
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View more testimonials

Meetings

*All meetings will be held at the Hotel Bentley, 200 Desoto Street, Alexandria, LA 71301, on the third Tuesday of each month unless otherwise notified as per the Louisiana Open Meetings Laws.

(LSA-R.S. 42:11 through LSA-R.S. 42:28 )

Next Meeting/Event

No event found!

Other Links and Information
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FIGHT FRAUD, WASTE, & ABUSE!

Contact the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) Hotline if you suspect the misappropriation (theft), fraud, waste or abuse of public funds by anyone.

CONTACTING THE LLA HOTLINE IS EASY
  • LLA Hotline, P.O. Box 94397, Baton Rouge, LA 70804
  • 1-844-50 FRAUD (503-7283)
  • 1-844-40 FRAUD (403-7283)
  • ReportFraud.LA

Can't find what you're looking for? Give us a call! M-F, 8am-5pm: (318) 880-0407

The City of Alexandria, Louisiana determined there was a need within the City and the Parish of Rapides for economic development efforts, renovation, restoration and fostering of tourism. The Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority was created in 2003 to cooperate with the City to address these needs.

About

Grant Application

Projects

Meetings

Annual Reports

RFPs

2003 Ordinance
2013 Ordinance Amendment
Louisiana Revised Statute