The recipient entity's physical address:
           400 Poydras St., Suite 900, New Orleans, LA 70130

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           400 Poydras St., Suite 900, New Orleans, LA 70130

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Association

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Non-profit corporation: Jeff Cantin

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  1917

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $165,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Jefferey Cantin
Board President
5804 River Oaks Rd. S
Harahan, LA

Tom Neyhart
145 James Dr E 3rd Floor
St Rose, LA 70087

Scott Coenen
Vice President
180 Marsh Hill Rd
Orange, CT 06477

Charles Raviglia
1600 Osgood St.
North Andover, MA 01845

Monika Gerhart
Executive Director
400 Poydras St Suite 900
New Orleans, LA 70130

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Gulf States Renewable Energy Industrial Association will provide technical assistance and business development resources to companies operating in, or planning to operate in, Louisiana. By expanding and supporting the private sector stakeholders operating in Louisiana, GSREIA will help deploy new resources and strategies to meet Louisiana’s overwhelming energy needs, strengthen resilience planning, and leverage private investment. GSREIA’s network of companies are operating in, expanding to, or interested in Louisiana’s legal landscape and first-of-its-kind project developments, including large load energy resource needs. GSREIA’s technical assistance, regulatory guidance, research, and support will strengthen the network of new investments in Louisiana’s resiliency infrastructure and bring electrons to grid.

GSREIA will mobilize its established network of local, regional, and national partners to accelerate project development, foster industry connections, and spotlight emerging opportunities within Louisiana’s growing clean energy market. GSREIA will 1) host monthly meetings with its network of businesses; 2) provide one-on-one technical and networking support; 3) provide regulatory updates; 4) deliver timely research; and 5) ensure state subject matter experts are available to businesses considering expansion into Louisiana.

1) Monthly meetings: Like any business sector, renewable energy companies operate within one part of a supply chain that is driven in concert with other companies in the supply chain. These include manufacturers, law firms, accounting firms, engineer, procurement and design firms, installation companies, investors and financial firms, and others in the field. Building the ecosystem of companies investing in Louisiana ensures that new companies can join a growing ecosystem, rather than operating on their own.
2) Technical support: Whether navigating taxation, permitting, or Louisiana’s unique regulatory landscape, new market entrants and existing operators benefit from GSREIA’s hands-on expertise. As a sector-specific one-stop shop, GSREIA provides customized advising on project design, financing, and stakeholder connections to help businesses succeed in the Louisiana market.
3) Regulatory updates: GSREIA ensures that companies operating in, or considering entry into, Louisiana remain informed of critical policy and regulatory developments. Louisiana’s regulatory framework is the first of its kind, providing a benchmark for other states seeking to establish their own legal and procedural models for renewable energy growth and investment.4) Timely research: Louisiana’s energy needs are changing rapidly, and timely research on issues like grid capacity, new market developments, potential challenges or opportunities, docket development, and other research is always needed for businesses to make informed decisions.
4) State subject matter experts: GSREIA helps companies connect with the appropriate state subject matter experts, whether those are state agencies with regulatory oversight and operational functions, or a need for local companies with expertise in subject matters like taxation, permitting, manufactured goods, land acquisition or other real estate transactions, engineering, or other state specific subject matter expertise. GSREIA provides connective tissue to ensure new market entrants and existing businesses can succeed.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $80,000
          Professional Services. . . $85,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The public purpose of this project is to expand and support private sector stakeholders operating in Louisiana, to deploy new resources and strategies to meet Louisiana’s overwhelming energy needs, strengthen resilience planning, and leverage private investment. Gulf States Renewable Energy Industrial Association (GSREIA) will provide technical assistance and business development resources to companies operating in, or planning to operate in, Louisiana. GSREIA’s network of companies are operating in, expanding to, or interested in Louisiana’s legal landscape and first-of-its-kind project developments, including large load energy resource needs. GSREIA’s technical assistance, regulatory guidance, research, and support will strengthen the network of new investments in Louisiana’s resiliency infrastructure and bring electrons to grid.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          GSREIA’s goal is to help deploy new resources and strategies to meet Louisiana’s overwhelming energy needs, strengthen resilience planning, and leverage private investment.

Key objectives:
1. Expand market penetration of Louisiana renewable energy businesses and attract new market entrants to Louisiana
2. Strengthen Resiliency and Disaster Response Capacity
3. Deploy new resources and strategies to meet Louisiana’s overwhelming energy needs
4. Support local job creation and supply chain growth among renewable energy manufacturers, suppliers and installers

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           12 months

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 None
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 None

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 0

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  None

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               None

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               None

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                None

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 None

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               None


Contact Information
name:  Monika Gerhart 
                                       address:  400 Poydras St Suite 900
New Orleans, LA 70130
                                       phone:  5042589294
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  mgerhart@gsreia.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director