Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority

201 JOHNSON STREET~ SUITE 601 ~ ALEXANDRIA, LA 71301 ~OFFICE: 318.880.0407 ~ FAX: 318.625.7599

Board of Directors

Chair Dr. Curtis Lewis

Vice-Chair Steven R. McGee

Secretary/Treasurer Candice Cheney

Board Members John Carroll Charles Frederick Smith Renee White-Goolsby Tracye Snow

Executive Director Clifford J. Moller

PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

The public is invited to attend all meetings unless otherwise noted in accordance with the LA Opens Meeting Law pursuant to R.S. 42:11 – R.S. 42:28* *Formerly R.S.42:4.1-42:13.

Please Be Advised!!! The Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (GAEDA) will hold the following:

STRATEGIC RETREAT

Saturday, August 20th, 2022 3:00 P.M. ~ The Diamond Grill ~ Tudor Room

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THE GREATER ALEXANDRIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (GAEDA) BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Dr. Curtis Lewis, Chair Mr. Charles Frederick Smith Mr. Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair Ms. Renee White-Goolsby Ms. Candice Cheney, Secretary. Treasurer Ms. Trayce Snow Mr. John Carroll

SPECIAL CALL MEETING AGENDA

• A. Call to Order
• B. Invocation
• C. Pledge of Allegiance
• D. Roll Call
• E. Active Items

1. Motion to approve the August 2022 Consent Agenda:

• a) Motion to approve the July 2022 Meeting Minutes-Public Comments
• b) Motion to approve the July 2022 Financial Statements-Public Comments
• c) Motion to ratify the payment of the July 2022 Accounting Bill-Public Comments
• d) Motion to ratify the payment of the July 2022 Legal Bill-Public Comments

2. Motion to enter into the 2022 Strategic Retreat Session- Public Comments

2022 STRATEGIC RETREAT AGENDA

3:05 p.m. Welcome, introductions and brief review of the agenda / goals for the meeting

3:15 p.m. Board and board member roles and responsibilities / address questions and comments from board members

4:00 p.m. Develop Strategic Initiatives:

Event and Attraction Goals:

• • Focus on events for families and youth.
• • Grow our event capacity and venues so that we compete and succeed in attracting regional, national, and international events.
• • Support a vibrant, thriving cultural arts district that attracts visitors from within our local community and beyond our region.
• • Effectively grow the capacity of our partners, grantees, and applicants to promote their events and to leverage our ability to help them promote events.

*Additions to agenda made by unanimous consent only!

• • Partner with key stakeholders to attract national and international events.

Masonic Drive Corridor Revitalization

• • Last Phase
• • Next Steps

Future Corridor Revitalization

• • Identify pipeline of projects for revitalization.
• • Support revitalization entrance of corridors to Alexandria from each major thoroughfare drawing visitors to a revitalized downtown.
• • Encourage access to Wi-Fi in public, visitor-focused venues in partnership with the City and other entities.
• • Seek opportunities to partner with and leverage organic growth of businesses along the identified corridors.

GAEDA Revitalization Corporation (GRC)

• • Overview
• • Next Steps

Small Business Concerns

• • Start Up Assistance
• • Resiliency
• • Resources

4:45 p.m. The Future- Questions/Concerns

5:30 p.m. Working Dinner / Address any Outstanding Questions

6:00 p.m. Identify 2023 Priorities / Individual Comments and Group Prioritization

6:50 p.m. Wrap-up and Next Steps

7:00 p.m. Adjourn

Special Call Meeting

Minutes: Meeting of Saturday, August 20, 2022

Present: Dr. Curtis Lewis, Chair; Mr. Steven R. McGee, Vice-Chair; Ms. Candice Cheney, Secretary/Treasurer; Mr. John Carroll; Ms. Renee White-Goolsby; Ms. Trayce Snow; Mr. Charles Frederick Smith

Absent: None

A special call meeting of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority was called to order by Commissioner Lewis at 3:00 p.m. Executive Administrator, Angela Varnado, called the roll. A quorum was present.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner McGee to approve the August 2022 Consent Agenda. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote.

It was moved by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Smith to enter into the 2022 Strategic Retreat Session. There being no public comments, motion passed by unanimous vote. Mrs. Nancy Burris Perret, facilitator took control of the meeting.

Ms. Perret led discussions regarding several strategic initiatives that were initially identified in 2017. The Board agreed to several revisions and additions. (See attached formal report).

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.