FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Finance New Orleans Press Contact:
Danielle Miller
danielle@captureconnectmedia.com
NEW ORLEANS — Finance New Orleans and the City of New Orleans Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS) have secured a $250,000 Municipal Investment Fund (MIF) grant to build a pipeline of cutting-edge clean energy and resilience projects citywide.
These projects are designed to cut energy costs, fortify essential infrastructure, and drive sustainable economic growth, making New Orleans a leader in climate resilience and innovation.
The grant comes from a national public-private partnership led by the Coalition for Green Capital and supported by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA, aimed at accelerating smart infrastructure nationwide. With just 50 communities chosen from 114 applicants across nearly every U.S. state and territory, New Orleans’ selection underscores its leadership in climate resilience, infrastructure innovation, and readiness for future investment.
The funding reflects a growing partnership between Finance New Orleans and ORS to expand investments in energy systems that support long-term economic development and protect residents during extreme heat, hurricanes, and power disruptions.
“The impact of Hurricane Katrina remains deeply rooted in New Orleans’ collective memory,” said Damon Burns, President & CEO of Finance New Orleans. “Twenty years later, Finance New Orleans continues to address challenges that originated from that storm and transform them into opportunities to reimagine the city’s future. MIF funds will allow us to deliver meaningful, lasting value to residents by investing in renewable energy and essential building upgrades. By lowering energy costs and strengthening resilience, this grant can help ensure more families and institutions thrive in a more sustainable city.”
Louisiana leads the U.S. in per-capita electricity use, contributing to high bills and frequent strain on the power grid. The MIF grant empowers New Orleans to scale resilient infrastructure by investing in community solar installations, battery storage, microgrids, resilience hubs, and energy-efficient upgrades—laying the foundation for a stronger, more affordable clean-energy market that benefits residents and neighborhoods most vulnerable to climate risk.
Finance New Orleans will use the funding to develop financial products and technical pathways that help institutions access the capital needed to bring these projects online.
“This funding helps us translate the City’s Climate Action Strategy into real infrastructure improvements,” said Greg Nichols, Deputy Chief Resilience Officer for the City of New Orleans. “From supporting our benchmarking ordinance to establishing resilience hubs across New Orleans, we’re investing in systems that strengthen our community during emergencies and in everyday life.”
Local partners emphasize the long-term financial and operational benefits for institutions across the city.
“Solar and battery microgrids reduce costs on their own,” said Josh Cox, CEO of Community Power South. “The more solar panels we install on roofs and batteries we deploy in buildings, the more we drive down energy bills by an average of 20 percent. With adequate capitalization, Finance New Orleans can extend these savings to more facilities citywide.”
National partners praised New Orleans’ proposal for its potential to deliver scalable, high-impact solutions, positioning the city for future federal funding and private investment.
“We are honored to support communities across the United States under the MIF program,” said Richard Kauffman, CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital. “The winners of this highly competitive process represent real national leadership in advancing clean, affordable energy.”
According to the Executive Director of ICLEI USA, Saharnaz Mirzazad, this funding is about unlocking local leadership and moving forward with projects communities have been ready to deliver for years. “These awards show how public-private partnerships can lead to real progress on energy, infrastructure, and economic resilience while meeting local needs head-on,” said Mirzazad.
Businesses, community solar developers, building owners, affordable housing developers, and K-12 schools interested in exploring project opportunities may contact Danielle Meltz, Resilience Program Manager at Finance New Orleans, at dmeltz@financeauthority.org.
Finance New Orleans is a public investment bank that aims to improve the quality of life in Greater New Orleans by funding climate-resilient, affordable housing and infrastructure. Visit financenola.org.
The Mayor’s Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS) focuses on environmental stewardship and climate resilience in New Orleans. Working in partnership with city departments, state and federal agencies, and community groups, ORS advises on policies and projects that impact the city. Its work is guided by the City’s Resilience Strategy, Climate Equity Report, and Climate Action Plan. Learn more at nola.gov/resilience-sustainability.
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