NORA Extends Small Business Marketing Assistance Deadline

Read the full article at Biz New Orleans

August 14, 2025   |By 
 

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority has extended to Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. the deadline for its Small Business Marketing Assistance Program, which opened July 14, 2025. The program offers eligible businesses tailored marketing support through grants and professional consulting.

The program provides grants of up to $30,000 to pair 20 or more eligible small businesses with professional marketing firms for a three- to six-month period. Participants will work with NORA-contracted marketing consultants to create a comprehensive campaign or strengthen existing outreach, with NORA paying the consultants directly for the work performed.

Designed to build on ongoing revitalization efforts along commercial corridors, the initiative targets designated Low and Moderate Income (LMI) areas and complements other NORA programs, including the Commercial Corridor Gap Financing, Façade RENEW, and Small Business Microlending Programs. Organizers say the program serves as both a financial and technical resource for business enterprises in these corridors.

Eligible corridors include stretches of major neighborhood thoroughfares such as South Broad Street from Washington Avenue to Canal Street, Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard from Jackson Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Canal Street from Norman C. Francis Parkway to Claiborne Avenue, and St. Claude Avenue from Elysian Fields to Poland Avenue.

Other eligible areas include Bayou Road between North Broad and Esplanade Avenue, North Claiborne Avenue from Canal Street to St. Bernard Avenue, South Carrollton Avenue from Earhart Boulevard to Canal Street, and General De Gaulle Drive between Shirley and Kabel drives. Many of these corridors have seen targeted public and private investment in recent years, and the marketing assistance program is intended to help small businesses build on that momentum.

The initiative is open to existing for-profit retail businesses operating in the eligible corridors. Applicants must have an active occupational license, be open to the public, have no outstanding debts to the City of New Orleans, and be in good standing with the State of Louisiana. Businesses that have participated in NORA’s Façade Renew and Small Business Grant Programs are encouraged to apply.

Eligible expenses include website development, social media strategy and implementation, search engine optimization, digital and traditional advertising, email marketing, broadcast marketing, and graphic design. Awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis during the initial application period. After that, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis every 60 days until funding is exhausted.

Applications must be submitted online via Jotform; emailed or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted. Applicants can access the application form, an informational webinar presentation, and a read-only preview of the application through NORA’s website. Required documents include a 2025 City of New Orleans occupational license, business owner resume, proof of location in an eligible corridor, proof of no outstanding City tax balance, and recent financial statements.

A full list of eligible corridors and application materials is available on NORA’s website.

 

New Orleans Redevelopment Authority offers $30K marketing grants to small businesses

Read the full article at New Orleans CityBusiness

Lance Traweek, Editor // August 13, 2025 // 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  •  launches marketing grant program worth up to $30K
  • At least 20 small businesses to receive services
  • Applications due August 15 with rolling deadlines afterward
  • Eligible businesses must be located on qualifying commercial corridors

The  has opened applications for a new Small Business  Program, offering up to $30,000 in professional  to eligible businesses. 

The initiative, announced August 12, will pair at least 20 small businesses along designated low- and moderate-income commercial corridors with experienced marketing consultants for engagements lasting three to six months. The program is designed to help participating companies boost visibility, attract customers and strengthen their competitive position.

Eligible services include website design, social media strategy, search engine optimization, digital and traditional advertising, email marketing and graphic design. NORA Executive Director Brenda Breaux said the goal is to give small businesses “the resources and professional expertise they need to expand their reach and compete more effectively.”

Applications are due by 4 p.m. August 15. Businesses must be existing for-profit retail storefronts located on an eligible corridor, hold a current city occupational license, operate with no outstanding debts to the city, and be in good standing with the state.

Awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications accepted every 60 days after the initial deadline until all funds are allocated. Details on eligibility, application forms and corridor locations are available at noraworks.org.

NORA, a public agency focused on community redevelopment, works with public and private partners to stimulate investment, support  and promote an equitable future for New Orleans.

Read the full article at New Orleans Magazine here

Visit the Katrina 20 page here

NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) announced the launch of 20at20, a new social media video campaign marking 20 years since Hurricane Katrina and celebrating two decades of recovery, resilience and renewal across the city.

Beginning Aug. 4 through Aug. 29, NORA will release one short-form video each weekday on its social media platforms. These 20 stories – featuring local residents, community partners, and NORA staff – highlight the agency’s enduring impact on neighborhoods across New Orleans and its evolving mission to build stronger, more equitable communities for the future.

“We created 20at20 to honor the people behind the progress,” said Brenda Breaux, executive director of NORA. “These aren’t stories about statistics or programs—they’re about everyday New Orleanians whose lives were changed through opportunity, reinvestment and a shared commitment to rebuilding better. This campaign helps us close one chapter in our history while turning the page to what comes next.”

The video series will showcase a wide range of NORA-led efforts over the past two decades, including:

  • The transformation of thousands of vacant lots into homes and community assets
  • Affordable housing initiatives and sustainable development partnerships
  • Investments in stormwater management and green infrastructure
  • Revitalization of commercial corridors and support for small businesses
  • Multi-use developments that bring life and opportunity back to underserved areas

Each video is grounded in a narrative arc that reflects NORA’s core belief: that everyday people drive progress and that NORA’s work has always been—and will continue to be—for the people who live, work and dream in New Orleans.

All videos will be archived on a dedicated 20at20 campaign page at www.noraworks.org, with links to active NORA programs that serve residents today.

“This isn’t a retrospective—it’s a rallying call,” said Breaux. “It’s about showing our neighbors that NORA is still here, still committed, and still working every day to strengthen the fabric of this city.”

NORA Director of Real Estate Development & Strategy Named

Read the article at Biz New Orleans here.

Read more about Adrienne here.

August 11, 2025 | By 

NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) is proud to announce the appointment of Adrienne Celestine as its new Director of Real Estate Development & Strategy. A native and lifelong resident of New Orleans, Celestine brings more than 15 years of experience in disaster recovery, economic development, public policy and strategic real estate development to this leadership role.

In her new position, Celestine will oversee NORA’s efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and transform underutilized land into thriving community assets. She will lead the agency’s real estate initiatives, drive investment strategies and support the planning and implementation of development projects that align with NORA’s mission to build resilient and equitable communities across New Orleans.

“Adrienne’s deep understanding of recovery, housing, and economic development —paired with her passion for serving New Orleans—makes her a tremendous asset to NORA and the people of this city,” said Brenda M. Breaux, Executive Director of NORA”

Celestine most recently served as a director in HORNE’s government services group, where she worked closely with state and local governments on the design and implementation of Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs. Her expertise in navigating complex federal regulations helped accelerate assistance to communities impacted by disasters while ensuring strict compliance.

Prior to HORNE, Celestine spent 12 years serving the State of Louisiana, where she held the role of Director of Disaster Recovery Programs. In that role, she oversaw billions of dollars in recovery investments, including economic development, infrastructure, planning, and multifamily housing initiatives across the Gulf Coast.

A graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a degree in Accounting, Celestine also holds a Master of Business Administration from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. 

Read the full article at Biz New Orleans

Signs of Progress in the Affordable Housing Crisis  

The last few months have brought real signs of progress in the affordable housing crisis  

 July 1, 2025   |By  and 

Louisiana’s lack of affordable housing continues to worsen; the state’s housing affordability index fell by 29% from 2021 to 2024 according to The Louisiana Realtors Association. However, efforts are being made at the local level to provide some housing stock within reach of more New Orleanians.

The Latest From NORA

One of the big players in this arena is the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA), headed by Executive Director Brenda M. Breaux, which is working to revitalize neighborhoods and support equitable housing development by collaborating with multiple entities to promote sustainable housing growth.

NORA has a big need to fill.

“New Orleans currently needs approximately 44,000 additional affordable rental units, yet only 239 new units were added in the past year,” said Breaux. “More than 40% of households spend more than half their income on rent, and family homelessness has surged by 69% in the last two years.”

Work is underway on multiple new developments, including the Esplanade DeLille Apartments — a planned 50-unit, mixed-income residential development under construction at 1141 Esplanade Ave., a vacant, city-owned lot at the corner of Esplanade Avenue and Henriette DeLille Street in the historic Seventh Ward.

The initiative is part of the city’s Redevelopment Framework, which aims to transform under-utilized city-owned properties into assets. With an expected completion date of early 2026, the Esplanade DeLille Apartments represents a collaboration between NORA and two New Orleans-based real estate development firms — HRI Communities and New Orleans Restoration Properties.

Esplanade DeLille Apartments will replicate the St. Bernard Circle Apartments project that opened on April 23, 2025.

Also in the Seventh Ward, the St. Bernard Circle Apartments officially opened with 51 mixed-use, mixed-income residential units at 1431 St. Bernard Ave. Sixteen units are designated for low-income households, while 24 are for moderate incomes, and 11 are being leased at market rate.

Two ground floor retail bays totaling 1,800 square feet are being leased to minority-owned businesses Gr8ful Events and Nola by Nature, a lifestyle brand and gallery space.

NORA played a pivotal role in the development of the St. Bernard Circle Apartments, finding the location, securing funding for land acquisition, facilitating community engagement, attracting qualified developers and hosting the competitive public bid process. As with Esplanade DeLille Apartments, the St. Bernard Circle project was co-developed by HRI Communities and New Orleans Restoration Properties (NORP).

In addition to supporting new affordable housing developments, NORA works to preserve existing housing.

“Investing in the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing homes is crucial to prevent further loss of affordable units,” said Breaux. This includes investing in funding for fortified roofing programs and requiring insurers to provide insurance breaks for these investments.

A key piece of the puzzle involves the private sector.

“Businesses can contribute to affordable housing projects through investments or partnerships, by providing employee housing incentives and funding allocations, and by advocating for policy changes such as zoning reforms,” said Breaux.

NORA has a program that allows businesses to enhance commercial corridors, promoting economic development and neighborhood revitalization called the Façade RENEW initiative. The initiative offers matching grants, typically covering 75% of project costs up to $37,500, to help small businesses and commercial property owners restore building façades along key commercial corridors.

Another piece of good news recently was the November 2024 voter approval of a charter amendment to establish a Housing Trust Fund that dedicates at least 2% of the city’s annual general fund—approximately $17 million starting in 2026—to affordable housing initiatives. The fund will be administered by NORA and Finance New Orleans, with oversight from an advisory committee to ensure consistent and protected revenue for affordable housing projects.

Spreading the Word

Since its inception, People’s Housing+ has undertaken projects across several New Orleans neighborhoods resulting in hundreds of affordable housing units. The New Orleans-based nonprofit formed in January 2023 through the merger of three local housing groups—Home by Hand, Crescent City Community Land Trust and Tulane Canal Neighborhood Development Corporation.

This past May, People’s Housing+ hosted and organized the 2025 Housing Summit, which nearly filled the Ashé Powerhouse Theater with approximately 140 developers, policymakers and residents.

“The size and diversity of attendance was the highlight of the Summit,” said CEO Oji Alexander. “This year, city officials reached out to ask us to be involved.”

The summit provided an opportunity for community members to connect to resources, as well as a platform for city officials to hear community concerns.

“We were intentional about providing real solutions to people,” said Alexander.

These solutions include informing people of grants for fortified roof retrofits and storm mitigation standards discounts.

A month later, in June of this year, the OnPath Foundation launched the “Pathway to Homeownership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Grant Program, which offers eligible first-time homebuyers up to $5,000 to assist with down payments, closing costs or prepaid expenses.

“The grant is offered in partnership with OnPath Credit Union Mortgage Solutions to break the cycle of generational poverty,” explained Jay Huffstatler, executive director of the OnPath Foundation, who noted that the upfront costs of a buying a home can represent a significant financial hurdle for first-time homebuyers.

The OnPath Foundation also collaborates with local Habitat for Humanity affiliates to offer the Pathway to Homeownership Grant to partner families.”

Thinking Small to Make Big Change

In May, the Lower Ninth Ward celebrated the completion of URBANbuild 19, a tiny home duplex developed through a partnership between Tulane University’s School of Architecture’s URBANbuild program and Louvis Services, a nonprofit focused on addressing homelessness in New Orleans.

URBANbuild 19 is one of nearly 20 tiny homes built by Tulane students in neighborhoods such as the Lower Ninth Ward, Central City and Tulane/Gravier. Other completed projects include URBANbuild 20 (a Central City duplex finished in 2024), URBANbuilds 17 and 18 (on Washington Avenue, completed in 2022 and 2023), and URBANbuild 12 (on Toledano Street, completed in 2017).

Louvis Services manages the URBANbuild 19 property and provides ongoing maintenance while the Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans — a nonprofit that aims to prevent homelessness — provides comprehensive case management and supportive services to its residents including crisis counseling.

“It’s not just about units—it’s about building systems that prevent homelessness and help people stay housed long-term,” explained Donna Paramore, CEO of Travelers Aid Society. “We’re expanding case management services, deepening collaborations with medical and behavioral health partners, and working with local developers to identify innovative housing solutions.”

Paramore stressed that housing is the foundation for everything else—health, education, employment and family stability.

“When people have a safe, stable place to live, everything changes. Recognizing housing as a basic human right means rejecting the idea that anyone is “undeserving” of shelter. It shifts our systems from punitive to supportive, from reactive to preventive.”

Paramore noted that South Louisiana has certain unique qualities that make her work more challenging but, simultaneously, more rewarding.

“The intersection of environmental vulnerability, generational poverty and strong cultural identity makes our work in south Louisiana both complex and deeply meaningful. Natural disasters can devastate housing stability overnight, while entrenched poverty and systemic inequities require long-term strategies. At the same time, our culture of resilience and mutual aid inspires solutions that are rooted in community and care.”

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