GEDC meets

GONZALES — The Gonzales Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) met in regular session Monday night. A few members were absent but a quorum was reached anyway as board Vice President Tommy Cox led the meeting and the directors welcomed back treasurer Larry Wehde to the fold.

Wehde, even though he said was still getting “caught up” on the receipts, reported that GEDC had somewhere north of $86,700 in total income the previous reporting period and $86,356 in expenses, which equaled a positive cash flow of $472.99.

On a larger scale, he reported $1.291 million in notes receivable and $2.079 million cash on hand. Total, the group manages over $4 million in assets.

Some discussion was had over moving forward with a loan/grant application for roof repairs at Edwards Furniture. Cox warned of creating an “avalanche of other businesses trying to do the same thing” with regular repairs. Director Dan Blakemore countered that he did not see it as a negative, but rather in line with the pro-economic development course that the EDC was tasked with.

After a meandering discussion that touched on city proactivity and rogue weeds growing in the sidewalk, a motion was made to approve the grant request in the amount of $16,000 and move for a public hearing before the proposal is sent to city council. The vote passed.

GEDC President and CEO Genora Young addressed the members on the status of the Lynn Theatre. She said that HVAC work had begun on the building and that she had contacted their insurance provider about repairs to the theatre's iconic neon signage.