Denver, Colorado – The Municipal Investment Fund (MIF) has reached a major milestone, demonstrating the overwhelming demand from local governments and Tribal nations for public-private investing to help reduce energy costs, create jobs, and ensure cleaner air and water for their residents.
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) and the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) are deploying $60 million in grants and technical assistance support to up to 104 qualified communities across the United States to lower energy costs, create jobs, and invest in local solutions.
ICLEI USA, a $66.5 million sub-awardee of the MIF program, is providing market-building, predevelopment, and technical assistance support to help communities develop public-private partnership plans that can help originate and finance NCIF-qualified projects.
The program will distribute $50 million in market-building grants and $10 million in predevelopment grants to give communities the tools needed to originate local clean energy projects. The Municipal Investment Fund will select up to 10 new communities annually, ensuring ongoing support for transformative investment and local economic development.
“Our community is ready to lead on clean energy, but without access to critical public-private funding, many promising projects remain out of reach,” said Jenny Hernandez, Sustainability Officer for the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and an applicant for the MIF. “The Municipal Investment Fund offers the financial backing and expert support we need to bring our projects to life and deliver real benefits to our community.”
During the pre-application period, the program engaged 1,200 individuals, offering resources and guidance. The response was overwhelming, with more than 200 applicants submitting 112 applications, including 5 Tribal nations and communities across 46 states. This strong demand underscores the urgent desire to finance clean energy projects across the country.
“Local governments are leading the way in sustainability, but they need continued federal support to scale up clean energy investments. The Municipal Investment Fund provides critical resources that empower communities to develop innovative clean energy solutions, drive economic growth, and ensure energy resilience. Blocking these funds undermines the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve,” said Mayor Alix Desulme, ICLEI USA Board Member and Mayor of North Miami.
Since late January, nearly every MIF office hour has included questions about funding availability, and we’ve received multiple concerns from local leaders. Local governments, tribes, and non-profit organizations will miss out on a piece of the $60 million in grants and associated technical assistance available through the MIF program due to this grant interruption. Many of these entities did not apply to the program due to their desire to not waste resources on a program that the federal government was actively trying to dismantle
Despite the obstacles, engagement remained strong, there is an urgent need for this funding and technical support. Local governments want to address their unique energy challenges through public and private investing. Communities are ready to act, and ICLEI USA is ready to help communities across all 50 states harness the cost-saving and job-creating power that clean energy can produce for Americans.
ABOUT ICLEI- LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY USA
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA), headquartered in Denver, Colorado, has operated for 32 years as the largest and first local government network dedicated to sustainability and climate action. ICLEI USA has worked with over 1,200 network cities, towns, counties, and Tribal nations in all 50 states.
ICLEI USA pioneered local government greenhouse gas management standards, including in the states with the highest emissions, to create jobs, reduce emissions, and empower local solutions by providing technical assistance, strategic planning, and federal grant support. Our Members and team of experts work together through peer exchange, partnerships, and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability. Learn more: https://icleiusa.org/
MEDIA CONTACT
Anne Marie Cleary Rauker
Senior Communications Officer
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA
am.clearyrauker@iclei.org