The recipient entity's physical address:
           323 Walnut Street
Monroe, LA 71201

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           323Walnut Street
Monroe, LA 71201

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          n/a

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  7460

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $9,500,000

What type of request is this?  Both

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           James Miles – Pelican State Credit Union (President)
2880 Louisville #1 Monroe 71201

Kelsi Dickerson
4104 Claire Lane Monroe, LA 71201

Karla Bendily
1412 Cedar Street West Monroe, LA 71291

Tori Fisher
3107 River Oaks Drive Monroe, LA 71201

Emma Loyless
1511 Frenchman’s Bend Rd Monroe, LA 71203

Caroline Brockman
3404 Deborah Drive Monroe, LA 71201

Judge Wendell Manning
394 Joe White Road Monroe, LA 71203

Scott Vaughan – CPA (Treasurer/Secretary)
1871 Hudson Lane Monroe 71201

Kevin Kremke (Vice President)
1301 Forsythe Avenue Monroe, LA 71201

Tyler Farnell
411 Downing Pines West Monroe, LA 71292

Melissa Saye – Director of NELA Children's Museum 2702 Bramble Monroe, LA 71201

Dawn Landry – Development Director NELA Children's Museum
224 Lakeside Dr Monroe, LA 71201

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Relocation of The Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum Update August 2024: Data for Monroe and much of northeast Louisiana such as higher than average dropout rates, poverty levels, and single parent households make this an Appalachian-like region with significant education and poverty challenges. 70% of the students who visit yearly are at from low to moderate-low income schools. The future of our area is linked to the void our museum fills each day for our youngest citizens. If we provide the opportunities for children to have those “Ah ha!’ moments in a dynamic learning environment, they will soak up these experiences and become the next leaders, educators, physicians, and innovators our area so badly needs.
A long-awaited opportunity has arisen that will allow us to partner with the City of Monroe (and the 17 surrounding parishes) to relocate to the center of our largest public park and construct a more spacious and modern museum that will meet the needs of children and families for the next generation. Our vision for the new location is to improve and expand this critical piece of early childhood education. The relocation and construction of the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum will be a state-of-the-art facility, doubling in size, highlighting northeast Louisiana and located in the historic Forsythe Park.
STATS for 2024:
School field trips/outreach programming from June 2023-June 2024
# of schools 290
% from Low/moderate income schools 68.4%
# Ouachita Parish 65%
# Outside Ouachita Parish 35%
# of students only 25,000
# of FREE admission teachers/paras/bus drivers (they love playing too!)2000
# of STEM programs included 290 with visits

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $2,000,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $8,000,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The funds will be used for the planning and construction of a new children's museum at Forsythe Park in Monroe, LA. The new museum will be filled with educational exhibits and learning opportunities for children and their families. The new museum will add an outdoor educational zone as well as walkways for physical wellness.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Goals:
To relocate the NELA Children's Museum to Forsythe Park
To construct a new, larger, state-of-the-art facility
Increase exhibit space including adding outdoor educational space
Objectives:
To enhance and support regional school curriculums through interactive programming
To prep our future workforce through introductions to STEM programming and exhibits that teach basic skills and allow for "Ah-Ha" moments that spark interest.
To highlight NELA as a tourism location, educational hub and quality of life anchor.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           Construction of Building to begin in 2025. Completion by 2027. Goals and mission will be ongoing.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 n/a
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 n/a

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 n/a

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  n/a

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               n/a

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               n/a

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                n/a

          What is the nature of the relationship?  n/a

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 n/a

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               n/a


Contact Information
name:  Melissa Saye 
                                       address:  2702 Bramble Drive
                                       phone:  3183487805
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  nelcm1@gmail.com
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director