NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
City of Monroe advances to phase II of National League of Cities’ grant for economic growth and resilience
February 4, 2026
(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-expan
ding-capacity-building-resilience/