Contact: Nicole Gray, City of Natchitoches
Phone: (318) 352-2772
Email: ngray@natchitochesla.gov
April 25, 2025
City of Natchitoches Selected for National League of Cities’ Grant Program to
Boost Economic Growth and Resilience
NATCHITOCHES, LA – Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr. is proud to announce the City of Natchitoches has been selected to participate in the Southern Cities Economic Initiative (SCEI), a program led by National League of Cities in partnership with Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. The City will receive a grant of $15,000 from NLC and will join 19 other cities from across the Southern United States to develop strategies that boost economic mobility for residents and drive long-term economic growth.
Other cities selected to participate in the initiative include Atlanta, Ga.; Canton, Ga.; Center Point, Ala.; Charlottesville, Va.; Fayetteville, Ark.; Greenville, Miss.; Harrisonburg, Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Jackson, Miss.; Jonesboro, Ga.; Lauderhill, Fla.; Little Rock, Ark.; Monroe, La.; Morrisville, N.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans, La.; Pensacola, Fla.; Sunflower County, Miss.; and Thomasville, N.C.
“Our city is committed to fostering economic opportunity for all of our residents, and we are excited to be part of this initiative with NLC and our fellow Southern cities,” said Mayor Williams. Through participation in this project, the City of Natchitoches plans to launch the UPLift Natchitoches Entrepreneurship Program (UPNEP), which is dedicated to empowering aspiring entrepreneurs in Natchitoches to turn their small business ideas into successful ventures.
Developed by Community Outreach and Grants Manager and local business owner Nicole Gray, UPNEP will deliver targeted business training, networking opportunities, and hands-on support to minority and women entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a small business. “This program will help us support entrepreneurs seeking to participate in our local company but don’t know where to start. Entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of economic development, and we hope to remove barriers for those who seek to turn their ideas into reality,” said Nicole Gray.
SCEI programming includes tailored technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, access to data and experts from the Federal Reserve Bank, as well as connections to national funders and assistance to leverage longer-term funding, including an opportunity to apply for additional NLC grants of up to $60,000 and assistance with strategy implementation.
“Local governments play a critical role in driving economic growth and expanding opportunities for all residents,” NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “The South has significant potential to lead on economic resilience and serve as a model for the nation. We are thrilled to collaborate with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on the Southern Cities Economic Initiative to provide the tools to build stronger, more resilient economies.”
SCEI’s initial planning phase will run through October 31, 2025. Upon completion of the initial planning phase, participating cities will have an opportunity to advance to a more intensive implementation phase, which extends through December 2027.
This initiative is made possible through the generous support of The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Learn more at nlc.org/initiative/southern-cities-economic-inclusion-scei-expanding-capacity-building-resilience.
