BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana Main Street program announced the awarding of $80,000 in Redevelopment Incentive Grants to eight property owners across designated Main Street districts. These grants support historic preservation, economic revitalization, and cultural tourism in Louisiana’s downtowns.
“These grants breathe new life into Louisiana’s historic downtowns by helping restore the buildings that anchor our communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Every dollar invested not only preserves our unique architectural heritage but also creates opportunities for small businesses, boosts tourism, and strengthens local economies.”
The eight communities of the FY 2025–2026 Redevelopment Incentive Grants that have been given $10,000 include:
- Hammond, Levy Building — Hammond Regional Arts Center
- St. Francisville, 11937 Ferdinand Street
- DeRidder, Cat's Coffee & Creamery
- Winnfield, 201-223 East Main Street Building Block
- Minden, 726 Broadway
- Springfield, Old Springhill General Hospital Building
- Natchitoches, 108-110-112 Touline
- Columbia, 115 Main Street
The Louisiana Main Street Redevelopment Incentive Grant Program provides matching funds for the restoration of historic commercial properties in designated Main Street districts. The program is designed to encourage economic growth, community revitalization, and cultural tourism through historic preservation.
Grants are reimbursement-based and require a dollar-for-dollar monetary match from recipients. Projects must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation to ensure the historic integrity of Louisiana’s Main Street buildings is preserved.
Since its creation, Louisiana Main Street has leveraged millions of dollars in public and private reinvestment, transforming communities by restoring historic structures and creating vibrant spaces for business and cultural activity.
The Louisiana Main Street program has documented impact, reaching a historic investment milestone of $1 billion in public and private investment in 2022. Of that investment, $520 million was private investments with the remaining $527 million in public investments. Other key statistics during that time include:
- Creation of 17,859 net new jobs
- 3,919 net new businesses
- More than $461 million in new construction or rehabilitation of buildings
- More than 1.3 million volunteer hours