10 Rays of Light

Economic Development & Jobs

Our VISION is to build Shreveport into a CULTURALLY DIVERSE INTERNATIONAL CITY of OPPORTUNITY and ADVANCEMENT by:  

  • Working with the Shreveport-Bossier Tourism Bureau and Shreveport Convention Center to build a $1.4 Billion Dollar Cultural Tourism Industry centered in District B           

  • Positioning Shreveport in the global cultural economy as the ‘The Magnolia Diamond On The Red’          

  • Developing the ‘Huddie Leadbelly’ Cultural Arts District at the West End         

  • Working to increase enplanements at our regional airport in order to lower airfares to and from our city; elevating from regional to international status, and expanding our hospitality/tourism industry          

  • Working with aspiring entrepreneurs to create over 50 Indigenous/Organic small businesses in ‘Huddie Leadbelly’ Cultural Arts District         

  • Creating 1,000 JOBS in District B via The ‘Huddie Leadbelly’ Cultural Arts District, The Medical Village, Riverfront Development, the Linwood Village, STEAM business projects and other viable economic projects           

  • Creating 500 or more JOBS by working with corporations who are hiring for remote employment               

  • Lobbying for Hemp/Cannabis farming in Shreveport-Caddo           

  • Lobbying for the completion of I-49 through the urban core and I-69 in south Shreveport                

  • Creating an Intellectual Property Incubator to cultivate and launch visionary entrepreneurial ideas          

  • Creating a Cultural-Social Entrepreneurial Grant Program where local entrepreneurs compete for $25,000 to $50,000 in grant funding and receive technical assistance support from the City of Shreveport and its business affiliates          

  • Creating 100 youth entrepreneurs throughout Shreveport over the next four (4) years        

  • Becoming the Northwest Louisiana Ambassador for the Louisiana Cultural Economy            

  • Becoming the Northwest Louisiana Ambassador for Cultra-Social Entrepreneurship             

  • Growing the Shreveport Tourism Industry into a Tier 2 tourism city over the next eight (8) years       

  • Promoting the concept of Home Based Micro-Business Enterprises throughout the city              

  • Cultivating an equitable relationship with the SWAC to build a diversified Sports Tourism Industry     

  • Working with the Shreveport Film Department to increase movie production in the city         

  • Networking with the Chambers of Commerce, Strategic Action Council and MSI           

  • Creating more contract procurement opportunities for Afrikan-American and other ethnic minority businesses in the public and private sectors          

  • Working with the Fair Share and Community Development Departments to expand opportunities for Afrikan-American and other ethnic minority businesses Working with downtown business owners and the Downtown Development Authority to build

  • Downtown Shreveport into a world class environment to:  work, conduct business, live, socialize, and experience OUR CULTURAL BRAND of HOSPITALITY           

  • Working to create better transportation options for low income and welfare to work workers