Statement on the Proposed Bossier Entertainment Development District
After a great deal of consideration, I have decided to withdraw the proposed Entertainment Development District (EDD) from the City Council agenda.
I want to clarify the reasons for initially pursuing this idea. For years, we’ve recognized the need to reinvest in the East Bank, the Boardwalk, and our entertainment corridor. Other communities have made intentional investments in entertainment and infrastructure, and we understand that merely maintaining our current assets isn’t enough to stay competitive.
The goal of the EDD was to create a mechanism to reinvest money generated within our entertainment district back into that district—improving public spaces, infrastructure, and amenities to attract visitors, strengthen businesses, and encourage new investment. I still believe these objectives are valid.
I understand that adding a tax may seem counterintuitive. However, the theory behind an EDD is that the additional revenue can enhance the business environment, attracting more visitors and ultimately stimulating private investment. We studied similar districts in Louisiana where dedicated reinvestment led to significant economic growth.
Our objective was never simply to collect more money, but to use dedicated revenue to expand the economic pie so that businesses and the entire city could benefit. While we can’t guarantee similar results for Bossier, evidence from other communities suggested the concept was worth serious consideration.
We aimed for a true public-private partnership, giving businesses a role in deciding how reinvested funds would be used. This proposal underwent multiple changes based on feedback from the community, reflecting our commitment to transparency.
The process may have appeared messy, but I prefer conducting public business openly, even when it’s politically challenging, rather than formulating policy behind closed doors.
The intention behind this proposal was to explore new investment methods in Bossier City, strengthen the economy, and build public-private partnerships. However, good intentions alone aren’t enough.
Upon reflection, a key lesson is that we spent too much time discussing the EDD’s mechanics before adequately communicating a clear vision of what it would achieve. This left many with questions about our goals.
Recent discussions revealed significant concerns among the business community and the public, indicating a need for further work on long-term vision and priorities before taking on such a substantial change.
Leadership involves advocating for ideas but also recognizing when they require more time. This proposal needs more time.
Thus, I am withdrawing the EDD proposal. I do not regret exploring it, the many discussions we had, or the adaptations we made based on feedback. We can learn valuable lessons from this process.
In the future, revisiting an idea like this should start with a clearly defined development plan and broad consensus among stakeholders. Bossier City must continue thinking boldly about economic development, ensuring we remain competitive with other communities.
These challenges remain, but for now, the appropriate choice is to listen, learn, and allow for more planning.
The ultimate goal was never just to implement an EDD; it was to strengthen Bossier City—and that goal remains.
C. Smith
