Visit Shreveport‑Bossier asked the Caddo Parish Economic Development Committee for $15,000 to stage an inaugural MLK celebration choir competition in January, with preliminaries set for Jan. 16 at First Methodist Church and a finale on Jan. 17 at The Strand.

Stacy (Visit Shreveport‑Bossier) said organizers invited choirs from roughly a 200–300‑mile radius and planned cash prizes and incentives to bring performers and their families to the parish. To date, choirs from Batesville, Arkansas; Holly Springs, Mississippi; Grambling, Louisiana; and Mansfield, Texas had committed or were in process. Participation requires a $50 application fee and organizers said they will set size and minimum proficiency requirements for entrants.

Commissioners asked whether an economic‑impact study had been prepared for the event; Stacy said no formal impact study has been completed and that Visit Shreveport‑Bossier could produce one if requested. Staff (speaker 9) clarified county policy permits retroactive reimbursement of event expenditures if costs are documented and the spending occurs within the calendar year, but presenters should accept the risk if the full body declines funding.

Committee members debated whether to seek an amendment to the 2026 budget at the Dec. 2 special meeting (to expedite funds) or introduce an ordinance in January. Commissioner 10 offered a substitute motion that the committee recommend the full body adopt both funding requests at the Dec. 2 meeting to get resources available sooner; the clerk called a roll and the motion carried with 5 in favor and 1 opposed (Commissioner John Atkins voted no). The clerk’s roll call for that motion was conducted and recorded.

Next steps: the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the full body for consideration at the Dec. 2 meeting (with January ordinance as a fallback); Visit Shreveport‑Bossier will supply documentation if the full body approves funding and presenters committed to quarterly updates on activity if funds are provided.