$25,000 for Lights on the Loop—with an eye on future holidays

Alpharetta’s Development Authority approved a $25,000 contribution to the Alpha Loop Foundation with more than one holiday season in mind: staff pitched the money as a way to buy event assets outright and build the foundation’s long-term capacity to stage Lights on the Loop.⁠[1][2]

The contribution backs the upcoming December event we previewed in our guide to Lights on the Loop, including a free, one-mile holiday light walk and two themed weekends.⁠[2]

Illustrated purchase possibilities in the September meeting packet include snowflake arches along the trail near the Northwinds parking area and a holiday backdrop for an Alpha Loop bench. They are presented as investment opportunities, not a list of completed purchases.⁠[2]

The memorandum of understanding presented for approval is broader than that purchase pitch. It restricts the contribution to Lights on the Loop expenses, but expressly allows equipment purchases, leases, rentals and electrical service. Buying reusable displays is the stated aim—not a purchase-only spending requirement.⁠[2]

The MOU also calls for the foundation to account for its spending if the authority requests it and to return any money not used for the event. It does not make that accounting automatic.⁠[2]

The Sept. 21 approval passed 4-0, according to unofficial minutes included in the authority’s Nov. 12 meeting packet. John Goss and Morgan Smith recused themselves because they also serve on the foundation’s board; Jill Bernard was absent.⁠[1]

The vote approved the contribution and authorized the chair to execute the necessary documents. The agreement copy in the September packet is unsigned, and these records do not confirm that the money has been paid or identify which items have been purchased.⁠[1][2]