Infrastructure Opportunity Update - January 2024
Here’s our latest update on Infrastructure projects in the GNO Region. Thanks to GNO Inc. for compiling these updates and sharing them.
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Happy Mardi Gras! Greater New Orleans has plenty to celebrate about 2024 already, with great grant award announcements in January. Please find opportunities for further funding below – these grants can support the surface and subsurface infrastructure that parades roll over, and the trees, fixtures, and bridges that they pass under.
DOT awarded the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) – the Port of New Orleans’ $1.8 billion container terminal project in St. Bernard Parish – a $226M grant through INFRA Grant Program (the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program). This was the third-largest INFRA award nationally. INFRA is just one part of DOT’s three-part Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG), which also includes the Mega Grant Program. In December, DOT awarded Port NOLA $74M trough Mega. Port NOLA has now received over $300M in federal grant dollars for LIT, which adds to $800M of private funding committed by Ports America and Terminal Investment Limited, the project’s future terminal operators. Construction on LIT’s first phase is expected to begin in 2025 for a 2028 opening. Ultimately, LIT will have the capacity to handle 1.2 million containers (2 million TEU) per year.
Port NOLA President and CEO Brandy Cristian shared, “Not only is this the biggest economic development grant in Louisiana history, but also the largest federal investment in a new container terminal in USDOT history.” LIT itself is the largest public economic development project in state history.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines announced that the Louisiana Energy Transition Engine has been selected as one of ten awardees. Awardee teams will receive an initial $15M, and up to $160M over the next decade – the largest awards in NSF history. Led by Louisiana State University, Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) aims to empower a clean energy transition for the state by advancing research and commercialization efforts in energy technology. Notably, FUEL will also consider infrastructure related to pipelines and water supply, which is critical to industrial operations. GNO, Inc., alongside many regional private sector and higher education partners, are part of FUEL.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced scoping meetings for their 5-year, $25M Lower Mississippi River (LMR) Comprehensive Management Study. These scoping meetings are critical in collecting input that will determine priority purposes and outcomes of the study. The study will evaluate alternatives for long-term management of the Mississippi River from Cape Girardeau, MO to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as river management’s related effects on water supply, flood protection, environmental restoration, and more authorized purposes. Please attend meetings below to ensure the Corps prioritizes impacts of river management on Greater New Orleans and solutions that the Corps should explore:
New Orleans: Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon and 6-8pm – USACE New Orleans District Headquarters (7400 Leake Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118)
Belle Chasse: Feb. 29 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm – Belle Chasse Auditorium (8398 LA-23 Belle Chasse, LA 70037)
Hahnville: March 5 from 2-4pm. and 6-8pm – Emergency Operations Center (15026 River Road, Hanville, LA 70057)
Governor Jeff Landry has released transition team reports, including the Infrastructure Transition Council’s recommendations. This report aspires to “transform DOTD into Louisiana’s most effective state agency,” “implement a statewide master plan for integrated transportation,” and “establish sustainable funding for infrastructure.” Some specific options to accomplish these goals are:
Maximize efforts to receive federal funding
Toll some projects
Reform the Vehicle Sales Tax allocation
Utilize federal BEAD funding to deploy broadband to remaining unserved areas.
Consider the sale or leaseback of DOTD owned real estate
Set a goal of increasing state port funding from $40M per year to $150M per year, with $100M for the six deep draft ports and $50M for other ports
Rename the Multimodal Office to the Office of Ports and Multimodal Commerce (PMC) and elevate it to a cabinet-level position with the head appointed by the Governor as a Commissioner
Initiate a specialized program focused on developing local contractors for Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) roles
Implement a policy to ensure prompt payment to vendors, thereby bolstering their reliability and financial stability in collaboration with DOTD
Governor Landry also released recommendations of the New Orleans Transition Council, which had input from GNO, Inc. This report uplifts infrastructure-specific needs for Orleans Parish:
Work with the Legislature to facilitate access to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for replacing lead lines
Explore a stormwater management plan in New Orleans
Direct DOTD to coordinate and expedite highway lighting repairs within Orleans Parish
Encourage LED to support a riverfront master plan that compliments both existing and new development
Work with local authorities to maximize the opportunities created by Super Bowl LIX with a focus on improving infrastructure, branding, and public safety
Support the proposed Louisiana International Terminal, which should open up substantial opportunities for manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution jobs in New Orleans East
Governor Landry has appointed Terrence “Joe” Donahue, Jr. as DOTD Secretary. Secretary Donahue began his career with LDEQ, until leaving for law school and maintaining a private law practice in Baton Rouge. He returned to public service as an attorney for DOTD in both the Office of General Counsel and the Office of the Secretary. Secretary Donahue affirmed, “As Secretary, I will do my utmost to confront Louisiana’s transportation and infrastructure challenges head-on and I am excited and optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
To oversee coastal infrastructure via CPRA, Governor Landry has appointed Gordy Dove, former Terrebonne Parish President, as CPRA’s Chairman. Glenn Ledet, Jr., formerly Neel-Shaffer’s Executive Director for Coastal Science and Engineering, will be CPRA’s Executive Director.
The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) announced recipients of its 2024 Conservation and Restoration Partnership Fund awards, which are annually granted to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions to carry out coastal projects which are consistent with the Coastal Master Plan. Since 2008, the fund has awarded over $13M of matching funds for projects addressing coastal conservation and restoration needs. In 2024, the fund awarded a total of $1M to various projects, including three touching the GNO region:
Ducks Unlimited – Build additional terraces in St. Bernard Parishes that will reduce erosion, promote fish and wildlife, and provide community resiliency benefits
Pontchartrain Conservancy – Create 12 acres of diverse habitat in Orleans Parish through vegetative plantings to support flood protection and provide critical wildlife habitat
Restore or Retreat – Stabilize a restored shoreline in Jefferson Parish
EPA Clean School Bus Program has awarded grants to two Orleans Parish School Board third-party bus operators. Highland won $31.15M in total, which will result in new buses for Warren Easton, Eleanor McMain, Wilson Charter, McDonogh 35, and Pierre Capdau. First Student won $15.7M for 40 new buses across the country, including those that serve Livingston Collegiate and Rosenwald Collegiate in Orleans. First Student is also contracted by Jefferson Parish Schools, which will receive additional buses. This fleet transition will improve reliable transportation for students and air quality for all.
Clean School Bus Program Rebates deadline has been extended to February 14. EPA is offering at least $500M through this year’s rebate program to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and clean school buses. Rebates vary by fuel type and bus size, ranging from $20,000-$345,000 per bus.
For the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Program, the Division of Administration has published the final Louisiana Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP). The PCAP includes 13 focus areas, 29 priority outputs, and 89 priority actions. Now, any eligible entity within state – stage agencies, local governments, and consortia – may now apply to implement PCAP-identified priority actions. Some of the 89 priority actions include: “deploy fleet conversion pilot projects,” “procure electric and alternative fuels public transit vehicles,” “simplify local permitting,” “fund urban tree canopy assessments,” “support native and climate-resilient tree planting,” and “coordinate and incentivize transportation for waste streams between industry and agriculture.”
CPRG Implementation Grant applications are due on April 1. EPA expects to award up to 115 grants, ranging between $2M-$500M. Questions should be submitted to CPRG@epa.gov by March 15.
EPA has opened the Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies Grant Program which will establish Stormwater Centers of Excellence in up-to five regions across the country. These Centers of Excellence will research stormwater control infrastructure technologies, with the goal of improving the effectiveness, cost efficiency, and protection of public safety and water quality. The Centers will also provide technical assistance to local governments and public agencies on infrastructure improvements – and funding sources – that protect public health, safeguard the environment, and increase climate resilience. Potential deliverables include “greater community involvement by key stakeholder groups to increase buy-in on projects relevant to the local community” or “an increased number of stormwater professionals that have been trained to implement innovative stormwater control infrastructure technologies.” Thus, this application may be used for research and education that advances Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan projects or concepts. Applications are due on March 18; eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Please let us know if you’re preparing a regional application!
EPA has additional active opportunities to support water infrastructure and stormwater management:
Healthy & Resilient Gulf of Mexico Grant Program will provide grants of up-to $6M to partnerships of five or more eligible entities, including states and local governments, higher education institutions, and nonprofits. Projects should address water quality, habitat restoration, environmental education, or community resilience. Applications should be submitted by April 4, 2024, and questions should be directed to the EPA Gulf of Mexico Division at GMP-RFP@epa.gov.
Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) provides free services for communities, like preliminary engineering reports, lead service line inventory, community engagement, rates and revenue analysis, bid support, change order review, Davis Bacon assistance, and funding identification. Communities should submit a request form by May 31, and questions should be posed to WaterTA@epa.gov.
Community Change Grant Program can fund various activities, including tree plantings, stormwater management projects, purchase of zero-emission vehicles, energy-efficient building retrofits, microgrid installation, community resilience hubs, brownfields redevelopment, and waste management projects. Eligible entities are partnerships of two community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs), or a CBO with a local government, or a CBO with an institution of higher education. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until November 21. Contact CCGP@epa.gov with questions.
Keep Louisiana Beautiful, in association with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, has opened registration for Love the Boot Week, which will occur from April 20-28, 2024. You may register– as a local government, non-profit, school, business, or family – to host your own event, or you may register as an individual volunteer. Love the Boot Week is Louisiana’s largest coordinated effort to clean up litter and beautify our state. In 2023, 12,777 individuals volunteered a total of 61,493 hours, removing 313 tons of litter statewide. Community beautification events resulted in planting 370 trees and 3,542 plants, and refurbishing 146 gardens.
Smart Growth America, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kresge Foundation, is seeking applicants for a new grant program, Healing Our Highways. This initiative will fund creative and artistic exhibitions, installations, performances, campaigns, and hubs that build knowledge within disadvantaged communities affected by transportation systems and climate change. Applications can be completed by submitting a brief form online. The deadline to apply is February 22, 2024, and selections will be made in March, issuing grants of $10,000.
DOTD has released the preliminary FY24-25 Highway Priority Program, which identifies projects to be constructed in the ensuing fiscal year, considering anticipated revenues to be appropriated by the legislature. The list includes projects in various stages of planning and preparation, in accordance with state law. Projects that are scheduled for construction letting in FY 2024-25 are denoted as being in “Stage 4.” DOTD is hosting public hearings in each DOTD district, with the GNO region spanning three DOTD districts:
District 02 (Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles): February 15, 2024; 9:30am at the Regional Planning Management Center, 10 Veterans Blvd, New Orleans
Stage 4 projects include L&A Road improvements in Jefferson; St. Charles Ave. pavement rehab in Orleans; LA 39 raising in Plaquemines; 40 Arpent trail bike and pedestrian bridge in St. Bernard; and LA 52 bike and pedestrian improvements in St. Charles
District 61 (St. James): February 16, 2024; 9:00am at State Capitol Basement, House Committee Room 6, Baton Rouge
Stage 4 projects include LA 641 bridge repair and US 61 overlay in St. James
District 62 (St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington): February 15, 2024; 2:30pm at St. Tammany Parish Council Chambers, 21490 Koop Drive, Mandeville
Stage 4 projects include LA 3127 overlay in St. John; LA 21 at LA 36 intersection reconfiguration in St. Tammany; LA 16 pedestrian improvements in Tangipahoa; and LA 3124 overlay, striping, and waterline relocation in Washington
DOTD has released a draft request for proposal (RFP), which will be used to solicit applications and distribute funding from the DOT National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. Under the NEVI formula, Louisiana will receive $73.4M to create an EV charging network across the state. In Round 1, Louisiana intends to provide 10 awards totaling approximately $10M for DC fast chargers. DOTD will partner with non-state government entities – based on RFP responses – through contractual arrangements with qualified applicants. Grants can provide 80% federal cost-share of the eligible costs, with a minimum cost-share of 20% by the grant recipient from non-federal sources. Grant recipients shall provide power to charge electric vehicles, maintain sites, and provide all staffing, material, training, hardware, and software necessary.
Please submit any comments, questions, and concerns to DOTDEVProgram@la.gov by Friday, February 16, 2024. The final RFP will be issued later in 2024, and project selections should be made by years’ end.
DOT has provided various checklists to guide discretionary grant applicants. For example, DOT has shared a Project Readiness Checklist, which explains how DOT scores grant applications on “project readiness,” or how ready an applicant is to deliver a project. This checklist provides generalized background and guidance on factors to consider for project readiness, like steps involved in completing environmental review and permitting requirements. DOT has also published a Grant Application Checklist for a Strong Transportation Workforce and Labor Plan and a Checklist for a Strong Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience Grant Application.
Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program applications remain open until February 28 for transportation-related projects of significant local or regional impact, from ports to public transportation. DOT seeking to fund projects that address climate pollution and improve climate resilience.
The City of New Orleans is developing the Lincoln Beach Redevelopment Master Plan, with planning firm Sasaki, and has launched www.lincolnbeachnola.com as a planning hub project website. The City and project team hosted Community Milestone Meetings in January, and approximately 200 residents attended to provide input for redeveloping the 15-acre beachfront site as well as the adjoining eight-acre green space and two-acre parking lot. The full presentation, including an assessment the beach’s historical structures and existing conditions, are available on the website now. The five-part planning process will continue throughout 2024. In 2023, the City committed $24.6M to Lincoln Beach redevelopment.
Interested residents can complete the meeting survey until February 16 to express current and desired uses.
Thrive New Orleans will receive a $750,000 grant from EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program, through EDA’s FY23 Disaster Supplemental Funding, via Congressional appropriations made after Hurricane Ida and other federally-declared disasters. With this grant, Thrive will expand their blue-green industry sector investments in workforce training, infrastructure solutions, and minority-owned business growth. These services will expand job access, through Thrive Works Green cohorts, and build the capacity of BIPOC-owned small businesses, through Thrive’s Green Business Academy. The project will be matched with $187,500 in local funds and is expected to create more than 1,100 jobs. In 2023 alone, three Thrive Green Works cohorts graduated, resulting in 36 trainees receiving industry certifications. Thrive has already improved stormwater management at over 50 sites across the City of New Orleans already; see Thrive’s project map here.
The Sewerage and Water Board continues to advance 11 transmission main projects to improve Orleans Parish’s water distribution system. For the S. Claiborne Transmission Main Project, SWB is replacing 100+ year old mains with new, more durable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes by using “Compression Fit Lining.” This construction method involves inserting the newer pipe into the existing pipe, which allows the water main to be replaced without substantial digging into the roadway, and thus allows for less disruption and lower cost. In January, work began on S. Claiborne at Third Street, where construction will be active for the next 6-8 months. This transmission main program is funded by FEMA and is part of the Joint Infrastructure Recovery Roads (JIRR) Program.
Gulf Wind Technology, based at Avondale, and the Greater Lafourche Port Commission have approved an agreement that will build Louisiana’s first wind turbine at Port Fourchon. The turbine will measure 187-feet tall and be located onshore at the Port Fourchon Coastal Wetlands Park. The turbine will be assembled by local talent and could be operational later this year. This project further demonstrates Southeast Louisiana’s strategic location as a hub to develop offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico, considering railway and waterway access.
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity officially broke ground on the new Rising Oaks community in Terrytown, which is their largest-ever project. Infrastructure work involving new streets, water, sewer, power, fiber, lighting, and stormwater management has begun on the site of the former Plantation Golf & Country Club. Habitat will build 154 energy-efficient homes, to FORTIFIED gold standards to prevent hurricane losses and reduce insurance rates, along with commercial properties that could house a credit union or childcare center. One third of the homes will be less than 1,000 square feet each and reserved for senior living, and the remaining houses, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms, will be available through Habitat’s First-Time Homebuyers Program.
The Local Infrastructure Hub, organized by the United States Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, is hosting a set of Technical Assistance Bootcamps open to municipal government employees. The bootcamps will address specific DOT discretionary grant programs – Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant Program; Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A); and Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grants. Furthermore, the Hub will hold bootcamps on the “Elective Pay” option of Inflation Reduction Act-created Clean Energy Tax Credits, which allows for non-taxable entities to receive payment directly. Finally, the Hub will also host sessions on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), which are first distributed to states for local governments’ eligible water infrastructure projects, including the construction, repair, and replacement of publicly owned treatment works, water conservation, and stormwater management. Bootcamps below are open for registration and will run through Spring 2024.
Louisiana Infrastructure Technical Assistance Corporation (LITACorp) stands ready to assist local governments with infrastructure grant matching funds or relevant technical assistance. The Matching Funds Grant Program (MFGP) can provide $50,000-$1M per project to put towards federal grants applicants’ local match requirement. The Technical Assistance Program (TAP) provides no-cost support with project development, funding identification, grant writing, and grant administration.
Inquiries about MFGP should be sent to grants@LITACorp.com and TAP assistance requests should be sent to LOI@LITACorp.org.
The Office of Planning and Budget within the Louisiana Division of Administration, now under the Landry Administration, continues to operate the “Building the Bayou State” portal (infrastructure.la.gov), which is the statewide clearinghouse for awards, opportunities, and partnership identification.
To sign up for the State’s official infrastructure newsletter, or to request infrastructure-related assistance and letters of support, please email infrastructure@la.gov.
Click the link below to download this month’s highlighted discretionary grant opportunities now open to units of local government.
Please share this information with colleagues, consultants, and grant writers working with your respective jurisdictions. If GNO, Inc. can support your applications, through a letter or other means, please let us know.
Questions? Have updates to share? Contact:
Peter Waggonner
Public Policy Director
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
1100 Poydras Street, Suite 3475
New Orleans, LA 70163
