News Summary
Shreveport has introduced six new businesses funded by $100,000 in grants from Visit Shreveport Bossier as part of the Destination 318 tourism competition. Kanteen Park won the grand prize of $50,000, while Noble Pedicab Service received the runner-up award of $25,000. The competition aimed to strengthen local entrepreneurship and enhance tourism in Caddo and Bossier parishes, with all finalists presenting innovative plans to attract visitors and residents alike.
Shreveport Unveils Six New Businesses through Destination 318 Grants
Shreveport has launched six new businesses as part of the inaugural Destination 318 tourism business competition, funded with $100,000 in grants from Visit Shreveport Bossier. The competition aimed to foster entrepreneurship and enhance local tourism in Caddo and Bossier parishes. From an original pool of 31 entries, six winners emerged after rounds of workshops and pitches, demonstrating a variety of innovative concepts intended to attract both residents and visitors.
Kanteen Park Takes Grand Prize
The grand prize of $50,000 was awarded to Kanteen Park, an open-air entertainment venue conceived by LeMar Flukers. The venue is positioned to contribute significantly to the local entertainment landscape, with Flukers expressing enthusiasm about revitalizing Texas Avenue to align with successful identity zones in cities like New Orleans and Memphis.
Noble Pedicab Service Rides into Town
In notable recognition, Noble Pedicab Service, owned by Shilpan Patel, received the runner-up prize of $25,000. This business will offer pedicab rides in downtown Shreveport, starting with free rides during the upcoming Mudbug Madness festival, aiming to establish a regular service thereafter priced at $5.
Other Winners and Awards
Additional winners of the competition included:
- Wonder Oasis – third place, awarded $10,000
- Roots – fourth place, awarded $7,500
- Port City Pedal Tours – fifth place, awarded $5,000 and the People’s Choice Award of $2,000
- SB Rides – sixth place, awarded $2,500
Focus on Tourism and Community Engagement
All participants in the Destination 318 competition were encouraged to create business plans that enhance the appeal of local tourism and entertainment offerings. Prior to their presentations, competitors engaged in workshops covering best practices and sustainable business growth.
Stacy Brown, the executive director of Visit Shreveport Bossier, underscored the necessity of developing local businesses to address gaps in the regional tourism sector. The event highlighted community interest in strengthening Shreveport as a destination and provided a platform for local entrepreneurs to present their ideas.
Future of Destination 318 Competition
The Destination 318 competition is expected to return next year, with organizers hopeful for continued engagement from the community and support for local entrepreneurs. The diversity of business plans showcased promises to enrich the local economy while providing exciting experiences for visitors to Shreveport.
Understanding the importance of tourism to the local economy, the participants submitted a range of concepts designed to appeal to a wide audience. The competition successfully spotlighted innovative ideas and fostered collaboration among community members to enhance Shreveport’s attractiveness as a vibrant tourist destination.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Tourism Business Competition
- Wikipedia: Tourism
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: $100K Tourism Business Awards
- Google Search: Shreveport Bossier tourism
- KTBS: Destination 318 Winners
- Google Scholar: Shreveport Bossier business competition
- KTAL: Destination 318 Launch
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Entrepreneurship
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
