Grants made possible through FY2025-2026 legislative appropriation
BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana Main Street announce a second round of Technical Assistance funding awarded to 12 designated Louisiana Main Street communities. This funding was made possible through a $450,000 appropriation by the Louisiana Legislature in the current Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Today’s announcement follows the first round of funding announced in July as part of a legislative appropriation for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. These two rounds of Technical Assistance Grants mark the first time in more than a decade Louisiana Main Street has been able to provide this level of service to local communities.
“Louisiana’s Main Street communities are the heartbeat of our towns and cities,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “By awarding a second round of these Technical Assistance Grants, we are helping communities strengthen their historic downtowns, support local businesses, and create places that both residents and visitors want to experience. With the continued support of our legislators, these investments will pay dividends for generations to come.”
Louisiana Main Street designated communities receiving this second round of grant funding include:
| Community | Award | Purpose |
| Abbeville Main Street | $18,000 | Community brand development |
| Crowley Main Street | $50,000 | Modular training and consulting for businesses |
| Main Street Homer | $44,000 | Landscaping for GBT Commons Park gateway |
| New Roads Main Street | $11,000 | Comprehensive district branding |
| Old Algiers Main Street, New Orleans | $30,000 | Neighborhood growth plan |
| DeRidder Main Street | $13,000 | Branding and signage |
| New Iberia Main Street | $45,000 | Downtown master plan phase 2 |
| Opelousas Main Street | $55,000 | Design rendering and planning for downtown points of interest |
| Plaquemine Main Street | $67,750 | Downtown roadmap |
| Main Street Columbia | $18,000 | Community brand development |
| West Monroe Main Street | $65,000 | Downtown demonstration project |
| Minden Main Street | $30,000 | Downtown strategies action plan |
| TOTAL | $446,750 |
Eligible support activities for the Technical Services grant must be associated with the Main Street Four Points of Organization, Economic Vitality, Design, and Promotion.
- Organization involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district. Project examples include board training and development, work plan development, community visioning, and organizational planning.
- Economic Vitality focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies. Project examples include market studies, property redevelopment plans, business development, and recruitment support.
- Design supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart. Project examples include gateway signage, historic markers, public art, parking enhancements, and planning.
- Promotion positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics.
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
For more information on the Louisiana Main Street program visit the Louisiana Main Street webpage.