SBEDF selected to receive prize from GNOF’s Next 100 Years Challenge
ST. BERNARD PARISH, LA – Earlier this year, the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) was invited by the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) to pitch its vision for a more resilient St. Bernard while competing in GNOF’s Next 100 Years Challenge. SBEDF presented a wish list of projects that would significantly improve the parish’s ability to bounce back after disasters. The proposed initiatives caught the eye of the contest judges, who selected SBEDF as a runner-up in the competition and are awarding SBEDF a $40,000 grant to build capacity and apply for additional funds for infrastructure and nature-based resiliency projects.
“SBEDF’s efforts in economic development go hand-in-hand with efforts to mitigate disasters, build greenspace, add parish amenities, restore our coast, and improve quality of life.” said Meaghan McCormack, CEO of SBEDF. Investments like this from GNOF and the current federal administration are crucial to building the St. Bernard of tomorrow, and SBEDF is committed to leading the charge.”
The Next 100 Years Challenge was a regional competition designed to inspire and attract plans for community-centered and cost-effective infrastructure improvements, including nature-based solutions, in 13 parishes of Southeast Louisiana that will reduce the threat from storms and other disasters.
“We want to thank GNOF for this grant funding,” said Guy McInnis, St. Bernard Parish President. “We are looking forward to working with our partners at the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation to leverage this grant to bring in additional resources to implement our key resiliency projects.”
SBEDF will use this award to fund the pursuit of major federal grant opportunities that would impact a range of much-needed improvements for the community it serves, from modernizations of St. Bernard’s energy infrastructure, to expanding the parish’s network of stormwater mitigating parks and trails.
Will Davis, Economic Development Manager at SBEDF commented on the award, stating “This win is just the beginning, and the funding could not have arrived at a better time. There are more federal grant dollars available to our community today than ever before. The only obstacle standing between St. Bernard and potentially millions of dollars in federal funding is our collective grant-writing capacity. This award from GNOF will empower us to pursue some of the most significant funding opportunities our community has ever seen.”
SBEDF’s partnership with GNOF and its expansive philanthropic network also offers access to ongoing technical assistance from GNOF’s team, in addition to the prize money received.
“We could not think of a better way to celebrate our centennial year than investing in the future of our region,” said Andy Kopplin, President & CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “The regional representation reflected in these winning applicants is a clear sign of a collective commitment to building a stronger, more resilient, more equitable, and more sustainable Greater New Orleans region in the decades ahead. The Greater New Orleans Foundation has been around for 100 years, and we are committed to creating a better Southeast Louisiana for us all for generations to come.”
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About the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is the official economic development organization and public-private partnership of St. Bernard Parish formed to create and retain jobs, build prosperity, and improve quality of life. To learn more about SBEDF and how the organization works to foster business attraction, retention and expansion, neighborhood revitalization, small business assistance, and talent and workforce development in St. Bernard Parish, sbedf.org.
About the Greater New Orleans Foundation
The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) drives positive impact through philanthropy, leadership, and action throughout Southeast Louisiana. We help address the biggest challenges facing the place we love, so that we can improve the everyday lives of people that live in the region—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
