The $250,000 Municipal Investment Fund Market Building Grant provides Missoula resources to build a pipeline of clean energy projects, which will create jobs, reduce electricity prices and help Missoula meet our climate goals and take control of our energy future.
The grant comes from the Coalition for Green Capital’s Municipal Investment Fund. The fund, a partnership with Local Governments for Sustainability USA, aims to accelerate the development and construction of energy-efficient infrastructure projects across the country. Missoula is one of 50 communities to receive funding.
Missoula was awarded the grant specifically to create a public-private partnership plan and develop a suite of clean energy projects that will reduce pollution and bring down energy costs for homes, businesses and public institutions.
The grant is the result of a partnership among Clearwater Credit Union, the City of Missoula, Missoula County, Climate Smart Missoula and Missoula Economic Partnership. The entities will work together, and with stakeholders across the community, to identify potential clean energy projects and create a public-private partnership plan to attract the funding and financing to implement projects.
“The City of Missoula is proud to partner with Clearwater Credit Union and community stakeholders to build a pipeline of finance-ready clean energy projects that will protect health and cut costs for Missoulians,” said Mayor Andrea Davis. “The Municipal Investment Fund grant is an important step forward in our work to make Missoula stronger, more sustainable and more affordable for everyone. This is a great win.”
Partners in the effort welcome the opportunity to collaborate.
“We’re excited to help build a pipeline of clean energy projects that strengthen Missoula’s economy,” said Grant Kier, CEO of Missoula Economic Partnership. “This grant helps us bring partners together, attract private investment, and move high-impact projects from ideas to reality.”
"There is a global energy revolution happening right now, and we’re excited to help bring the benefits to Montana,” said Paul Herendeen, vice president of Sustainability at Clearwater Credit Union. “Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency can save Montanans money, make our homes healthier and more comfortable, and support local jobs. We’re looking forward to working with the City of Missoula and all our community partners to identify opportunities in the modern energy economy.”
“Clean energy solutions often save a lot of money over time, paying for themselves multiple times over, but it can be hard to find the upfront investment dollars to get them started,” said Missoula County Commissioner Juanita Vero. “We’re excited by this opportunity to help jumpstart projects, which will lower energy costs, protect clean air, create jobs and help protect our climate.”
Through implementation of this award, Missoula will develop a smart, competitive and cost-effective plan that will be a win-win for both the community and potential investors.
“We are honored to provide funding to communities across the United States under the MIF program so they can take initial steps toward bringing America clean, affordable energy in this time of crisis,” said Richard Kauffman, CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital. “We congratulate the winners of this vigorous competition. They are real heroes.”
“This funding is about unlocking local leadership and moving forward the kinds of projects that communities have been ready to deliver for years,” said Saharnaz Mirzazad, Executive Director of ICLEI USA. “These awards show how public-private partnerships can lead to real progress on energy, infrastructure and economic resilience. These projects make communities safer, lower energy costs and meet local needs head-on.”