BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser announced today the release of the application and guidelines for the Encore Louisiana Commission’s Louisiana Certified Retirement Community program. With the prospect of 76 million baby boomers nearing retirement, the Louisiana Certified Retirement Community program is designed to encourage tourism and economic development through the marketing of certified retirement communities to those from out of state and those living in Louisiana. The program will recognize cities or parishes in Louisiana as premier locations for retirees. Destinations selected for certification will benefit from state-level marketing efforts, networking opportunities and potentially grant funding to support the program.
“Being designated a Louisiana Certified Retirement Community will only help to enhance what we already know – that Louisiana is a great and affordable place to retire,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “In addition to our authentic culture and cuisine and more than 400 festivals, Louisiana offers plenty for retirees, including some of the best fishing in the country, great bird watching, and outdoor activities in our State Parks.”
In 1999, the Louisiana Legislature created the Louisiana Retirement Development Commission to market and promote Louisiana as a retirement community state. Through Act 342 of the 2009 Regular Legislative Session, lawmakers renamed the body the Encore Louisiana Commission with the goal of setting the guidelines and requirements in developing the criteria for a destination to become a Louisiana Certified Retirement Community.
The Encore Louisiana Commission will require communities to submit an application and undergo a screening process conducted by the commission before being designated a Louisiana Certified Retirement Community. The deadline to submit the application is November 30, 2017.
“Every parish in our state has a uniqueness that is attractive to retirees,” said Assistant Secretary Kyle Edmiston. “While we work hard to attract record numbers of visitors to our state, we need to let our prospective retirees know Louisiana is not only a great place to visit but also a great place to retire. Through this program, we want to assist our parishes in marketing those assets that cater to retirees, to let them now that Louisiana is a perfect place to spend those retirement years.”
Once designated a Louisiana Certified Retirement Community, the Louisiana Office of Tourism will:
- Promote the certified community as a Louisiana Certified Retirement Community to retirees and potential retirees both in and outside Louisiana.
- Assist Louisiana Certified Retirement Communities in their efforts to market themselves as desirable retirement locations and to develop communities where retirees would find attractive retirement lifestyles.
- Assist Louisiana Certified Retirement Communities in enriching their locations resulting in positive economic development.
- Encourage tourism to the Louisiana Certified Retirement Community.
In addition, Louisiana Certified Retirement Communities will be able to attend consumer shows and golf shows with the Louisiana Office of Tourism. | 
