(Monroe, LA) - The City of Monroe was selected to participate in the next
phase of the Southern Cities Economic Initiative (SCEI), a program led by the
National League of Cities (NLC). Monroe will receive a second
“implementation” grant from NLC of $55,000 through funding provided by
SCEI’s philanthropic partners and will join 13 other cities from across the
Southeastern United States to develop strategies that boost economic
mobility for residents and drive long-term economic growth.
Participation in SCEI will support the City’s efforts through tailored technical
assistance, peer learning opportunities, access to data and content experts
from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta as well as connections to national
funders and assistance to leverage longer-term funding. The Federal Reserve
Bank of Atlanta does not provide funding, nor did it participate in participant
selection or decisions of grant funding of SCEI participants.
During the project’s initial planning phase, the City received a planning
grant to support the development of a comprehensive center providing
financial education and empowerment services for prospective homebuyers
and existing homeowners. The City’s Planning and Urban Development
(PUD) Department serves as the lead responsible for administering and
coordinating implementation activities to achieve the initiative’s stated
objectives. The implementation grant will fund the launch of financial
education initiatives, homeowner assistance services and collaborative
partnership to strengthen community stability.
Other cities selected to participate in the initiative include Atlanta, Ga.;
Center Point, Ala.; Charlottesville, Va.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Greenville, Miss.;
Harrisonburg, Va.; Jackson, Miss.; Jonesboro, Ga.; Lauderhill, Fla.; Little Rock,
Ark.; Natchitoches, La.; New Orleans, La.; and Thomasville, N.C.
“This grant allows us to turn planning into action by giving our residents the
tools, education, and support they need to build financial stability and
long-term homeownership success,” said Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis. “We’re
committed to ensuring every family in Monroe has a clear pathway to
opportunity.”
“The South is a region of remarkable strength, innovation, and resilience,
and cities across the region are primed to overcome the barriers of limited
job growth, access to capital and affordable housing,” said NLC CEO and
Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “We are pleased to see this select
group of 14 cities and work with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to build
stronger, more resilient economies and create opportunities for all residents
to thrive.”
The Southern Cities Economic Initiative’s implementation phase will run
from January 2026 to December 2027.
The initiative is made possible through the generous support of The Annie E.
Casey Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Kresge
Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the W.,. Kellogg
Foundation.
Learn more at https://www.nlc.org/initiative/southern-cities-economic-inclusion-scei-expanding-capacity-building-resilience/