Economic Development District
Baker Main Street Economic Development District
The Baker Main Street Economic Development District (BMSEDD), created in 2022 in Louisiana, is a specialized district designed to foster economic growth, revitalize the Main Street area, and attract new retail and investment through tailored land use and design standards. It operates alongside the Baker Economic Development District & Convention Center to implement strategic improvements.
The initiative is part of a broader, long-term effort to transform the City of Baker’s economic landscape, often in coordination with the Baker Economic Development District & Convention Center, which focuses on the Highway 67 corridor.
Key Overview
- Purpose: Created to promote trade, commerce, and industrial opportunities by assisting in the dramatic redevelopment of property within its boundaries.
- Authority: It operates under the legal authority of Louisiana Revised Statute 33:9038.74, which allows for cooperative economic development between the district, the city, and property owners.
- Inception: The district was formally established in July 2022.
Key Aspects
- Leadership: The district is overseen by Mayor Darnell Waites, who serves as the primary contact.
- Board Structure: It is governed by a 7-member Board of Commissioners, with 6 members currently serving as of recent records.
- Support: Dante Bidwell serves as the Lead Consultant and has been instrumental in establishing the district’s strategic framework.
Governance & Leadership
- Overlay District: Recent board meetings have focused on creating an overlay district to provide specific land use and design standards for targeted corridors.
- Strategy Development: The district is partnering with Retail Strategies to identify retail opportunities and establish a unique “theme” or identity for Baker to distinguish it from surrounding areas.
- Timeline: A comprehensive draft plan with recommendations for the district is expected by December 2025.
Current Initiatives & Meetings
- Purpose: The district aims to revitalize the downtown/Main Street area, promote local entrepreneurship, and create a unique identity for the City of Baker.
- Establishment: Created in 2022 under Louisiana State Legislature R.S. 33:9038.74.
- Focus Areas: The district is focused on developing overlay districts to improve design standards, updating land use, and conducting community engagement.
- Leadership: The board includes members focused on implementing a “Main Street” strategy, with Dante Bidwell serving as lead consultant.
- Timeline: The district is in the process of finalizing plans, with draft recommendations and strategic plans expected to be developed throughout 2025.
Current Board Members (as of January 2026)
- Cedric Murphy - Board President
- Shaelisa Bradley-Hunt – Vice President
- Michel Woods – Board Member / Secretary
- Myra Victor Harris – Board Member (sworn in August 2025)
- Kermit Johnson, IV – Board Member
- Willie Williams, Jr. – Board Member
Appointed Members
- Myra Victor-Harris - School Board Appointee
- Adrianne Conrad - Senate Appointee
Key District Contacts
- Darnell Waites (Mayor of Baker) – Primary District Contact Person
- Dante Bidwell – Lead Consultant and Board Recorder
Vacancies
As of the most recent public records, two positions remained unfilled or absent during organizational sessions:
- An appointee from the Louisiana State Senate representing the district area.
- An appointee from the City of Baker School Board.
The board meets at the Baker Fire Department Conference Room to discuss initiatives such as the Overlay District and new revenue streams like the TIF (Tax Increment Financing).
