About Us

The Bayou Fountain Economic Development District (BFEDD) is a targeted public-private partnership established by the City of Baton Rouge / Parish of East Baton Rouge to accelerate economic growth in a strategically located area.  Economic Development Districts function as self-sustaining investment zones: new sales tax revenue generated within the District is captured and reinvested locally to fund infrastructure, amenities, and projects that create lasting value.

At its core, the Bayou Fountain EDD is focused on developing a premier multi-sport and recreation complex in conjunction with existing sports facilities in the District, to position Baton Rouge as a regional destination for sports tourism. The project will include modern indoor courts, high-quality outdoor fields, supporting infrastructure, and amenities that serve both local families and visitors from across the region.

This initiative directly addresses a documented market opportunity. Independent analysis shows Baton Rouge has strong existing outdoor sports facilities but lacks a tournament-ready indoor multi-court venue — a critical gap for attracting larger events and year-round activity. The planned complex will feature flexible indoor spaces for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and other court sports, alongside lighted turf fields, creating a versatile hub capable of hosting tournaments, camps, clinics, and community events throughout the year.

Projected Economic Benefits

Once fully developed, the sports tourism complex is expected to:

• Generate an average of $35 million in annual regional economic impact
• Support or create more than 450 jobs
• Attract approximately 240,000 visitors per year, including 130,000 hotel stays
• Produce more than $1 million in new parish sales tax revenue and nearly $800,000 in city hotel tax revenue annually over the first ten years

These outcomes align with broader goals of job creation, increased hospitality and retail spending, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced quality of life. By leveraging incremental tax revenues through the EDD structure, the District enables catalytic investments in sports facilities, public infrastructure, utilities, parking, and related amenities that stimulate private development in hospitality, retail, and mixed-use opportunities.

BFEDD represents a strategic, results-oriented approach to economic development — transforming underutilized potential into a vibrant sports tourism destination that delivers measurable returns for the community, businesses, and investors alike.

Welcome to the future of Baton Rouge!