Our Priorities

In addition to the more than $7.7 billion that Louisiana is expected to receive throughout the next five years, $76.6 billion in discretionary/competitive funding is available through BIL programs for states, local governments, nonprofits and other eligible entities. Coordination and collaboration across state agencies, across state lines and across federal, state and local levels of government, will be key to maximizing funding for the state. 

The Louisiana Climate Action Plan was approved in January 2022 and contains 28 strategies and 84 specific actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the severity of climate change. Governor Edwards aims to leverage BIL funding to advance the goals and recommendations contained in the Climate Action Plan. This is a profound opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the severity of climate change, while also positioning the state to maintain its economic competitiveness in a low-carbon future. 

Local governments, municipal planning organizations, regional partnerships and other eligible entities may apply directly for many of the BIL discretionary programs. Recognizing that local governments with the greatest need often lack the capacity or funding to pursue federal grant programs, the Louisiana Legislature, at the request of the governor, allocated $25 million to assist local governments with preparing applications and to provide financial support to meet federal match obligations. Subject to legislative approval, this allocation will support the work of the Louisiana Infrastructure Technical Assistance Corporation, a joint effort of the Louisiana Municipal Association and the Louisiana Police Jury Association.

The workforce opportunities generated by the BIL over the next several years transect many sectors and industries including construction, electrification and weatherization. Further, training and development are eligible expenditures in dozens of BIL programs. The governor has emphasized that this enormous workforce opportunity should provide good jobs for people in Louisiana. To coordinate the workforce opportunities throughout the BIL, the governor convened a BIL Workforce Committee comprising of representatives from LED, DCFS, LCTCS, LWC, DOE and the Board of Regents.

The BIL presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Louisiana communities and workers—it is important that BIL funding is distributed equitably throughout several key metrics: realized benefits, contracting opportunities and jobs. Many BIL-funded programs are covered under the Justice40 Initiative directing 40% of the benefit of federal investments through covered programs to flow to historically marginalized or disadvantaged communities. In alignment with Justice40 and understanding that 56% of Louisiana’s communities are considered disadvantaged for the purposes of Justice40, the governor issued Executive Order Number JBE 2022-19, Equitably Coordinating Louisiana’s Statewide Infrastructure Investments, asking each relevant state agency to develop action plans to increase engagement with and access to opportunities for all Louisiana residents and businesses.

To learn about the first year of BIL implementation in Louisiana, click 2022 annual report