THE RIVER CENTER SHOULD BE AN ASSET TO THE CAPITAL REGION NOT A CASH COW FOR A FEW POLITICAL CRONIES!

The River Center should be an asset to the Capital Region—not a cash cow for a few well-connected insiders. Local events are being forced to overpay for services that could be done better and cheaper by businesses right here in East Baton Rouge Parish.

So, where is all the money going?

Taxpayers built and continue to maintain the River Center, yet local vendors are shut out in favor of a “preferred” production company that isn’t even local. Instead of reinvesting in our community, those dollars are being funneled elsewhere—into inflated vendor contracts, mysterious administrative costs, and even management bonuses.

Consider this:

2021 Administrative Budget: $347,800
2025 Administrative Budget: $1.29 million

Why the massive increase?

We deserve transparency. We deserve accountability. And most of all, we deserve a River Center that serves us—not the political elite.

Sign this petition to demand a full audit of the River Center’s finances and a commitment to prioritize local businesses.