Global investment in clean energy has reached record levels, and unprecedented US federal incentives have revealed a strong pipeline of domestic projects. Meanwhile, electricity demand is projected to rise 24 percent by 2030, (an additional 175 gigawatts). For communities, the time to scale reliable, cost-effective energy solutions is now. Without proactive strategies, communities risk missing key opportunities to meet rising demand, support emerging industries like data centers and manufacturing, and stay competitive in the next era of industrial and economic development.

Even before the decline in available federal funding, clean energy savings were not reaching many households, small businesses, or communities due to capital gaps in underserved markets and disconnected finance and economic strategies.

Why? Clean energy projects often struggle to attract capital because risk appetites don’t align, deal sizes are too small or complex, and financial products aren’t built for scale. Capital providers are frequently disconnected from local economic goals, and rigid underwriting criteria too often rule out transformative projects.

Localized strategies can help address these persistent barriers, helping align investment with community needs and ensuring that the clean energy transition delivers inclusive economic benefits. Through regional financing ecosystems, regional banks can coordinate with community lenders, economic development organizations (EDOs), state and local governments, and green banks to support effective, inclusive capital delivery and create channels for scaled investment to flow.

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