Visit Baton Rouge looks into getting more BP oil spill money

Visit Baton Rouge may have a chance at a share of an estimated $7.8 billion for damages from the 2010 BP oil spill. The tourism agency’s board on Tuesday will consider finalizing a contract with New Orleans attorney Kurt Offner to pursue a claim tied to the Deepwater Horizon economic and property damage settlement agreement, which U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier approved last month. Visit Baton Rouge President/CEO Paul Arrigo says VBR has been notified by the state hotel/motel association that the tourism promotion board might be eligible to receive a slice of the funds. “We’re doing due diligence and trying to get what might be out there so we can better market the city,” Arrigo says. “I have no idea how much it could be.” The settlement has no cap; BP reportedly has estimated it will pay $7.8 billion to resolve economic and medical claims from more than 100,000 businesses and individuals affected by the spill. Visit Baton Rouge already has been granted nearly $1 million in two separate allocations tied to the spill. Tuesday’s meeting is open to the public and will take place beginning at noon at VBR’s downtown offices, 359 Third St. —David Jacobs