The Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (GAEDA) officially opened its new headquarters in downtown Alexandria, Louisiana, on November 14. Located at 720 Murray Street, the facility sits directly across from the Rapides Parish Courthouse, placing it at the heart of civic activity. The launch event welcomed commissioners, local officials, and members of the community. n nChairman C Ray Lewis explained that the relocation supports GAEDA’s 2025 strategic goal of broadening its financial base beyond hotel tax revenues. The new space is intended to serve as a central hub for economic growth initiatives. n nVice Chairman Steven McGee expressed enthusiasm about establishing a permanent presence in the city center. He emphasized the location’s accessibility to the public and its potential to stimulate urban revitalization. n n“Having a central downtown location makes it easier for people to engage with us, whether they’re handling business or exploring opportunities,” McGee said. “It also allows us to better connect with the community.” n nHe envisions the area transforming into a vibrant mini-metropolitan zone, where visitors choose to stop rather than pass through. “Downtown is on the verge of something special,” McGee added. “There’s a clear plan in motion, supported by the city council, to make this a destination. Imagine people saying, ‘Let’s go to downtown Alexandria before heading to Lafayette. There’s a great restaurant here.’ That’s the kind of momentum we want to build.” n nThe authority aims to attract larger enterprises while also offering resources and guidance to local small businesses. McGee believes the new office will enhance GAEDA’s ability to drive investment and support entrepreneurial development in the region. n
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Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority opens new headquarters in downtown
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – The Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority (GAEDA) opened its new headquarters in downtown Alexandria on Friday, Nov. 14, welcoming commissioners, elected officials and community members to the building. n nThe authority is now located at 720 Murray Street, across the street from the Rapides Parish Courthouse. n nChairman C Ray Lewis previously said the move aligns with the authority’s 2025 priority of diversifying its revenue stream instead of relying solely on revenue from hotel taxes. n nVice Chairman Steven McGee said the board was eager to find a place to call home and be able to stimulate and impact the city. n n“To have this location central and downtown, across from the courthouse, accessible to the public, people down, taking care of various types of business. That’s what makes it much more accessible to them, and to us as well, to be able to reach out to the people,” McGee said. n nMcGee said the board is ready to make an economic impact on the city so that it can grow, flourish and look like a mini-metropolitan city. n n“Downtown is about to be something great,” McGee said. “There’s a plan that they’re working on to make downtown great. The city council is doing a great job of doing that as well, and they’re doing a great job working with us to help have that impact on downtown, so that downtown can be somewhere you want to get off the highway. ‘Hey, let’s go downtown Alexandria before we get to Lafayette. Let’s stop here. They got this restaurant here.’ Those are the things that we want to impact and help Alexandria to grow.” n nMcGee said he hopes the new building will help attract new businesses and big companies while also providing support for small businesses. n nClick here to report a typo. Please provide the title of the article in your email.