"VOLUNTEERISM and CITIZEN SERVICE must lead Louisiana's recovery effort." -Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu The Louisiana Serve Commission is pleased to announce Volunteer Louisiana, a website and call center that matches volunteers with service opportunities throughout the state. Visit www.volunteerlouisiana.gov or call 866-286-3835 or 225-342-3070 to find out how you can begin a summer of service.

Impact - Supporting the Louisiana Arts Every dollar in state support for the Arts leverages $7 in earned and contributed revenue. Louisiana's cultural enterprises provide nearly 144,000 jobs for Louisiana citizens, accounting for 7.6% of total employment. Arts has a total economic impact of $934 million in Louisiana. Source: The ... Learn More >>

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

CONTACT:
Seth Harvey
(225) 342-8153
sharvey@crt.state.la.us

Baton Rouge, La. - Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu today designated eleven communities across Louisiana as certified retirement communities and pledged to assist them in their efforts to retain and attract individuals 55 and older.

Lt. Governor Landrieu, who oversees the Louisiana Retirement Development Commission, announced that the cities of Bossier, Crowley, Covington, Lake Charles, New Iberia, and Thibodeaux; the parishes of Natchitoches, St. Landry, Union and Vernon and the Louisiana I-12 Retirement District are eligible to receive $20,000 in grant funding through the program Redefine Life. Retire in Louisiana. Certified Retirement Community. The communities were chosen through a rigorous competitive process.

"Baby Boomers are looking for a place that offers a reasonable cost of living, mild climate, friendly people, and fun things to see and do. Louisiana offers all of that plus incredible beauty, unique culture and a wealth of recreational options. Louisiana is a great place to retire," said Lt. Governor Landrieu. "This generation is the largest and wealthiest age group in the nation--some 75 million strong. They have tremendous economic power. It makes sense that we promote these Louisiana communities as ideal places to relocate."

Lt. Governor Landrieu launched this initiative last year to bolster Louisiana as a premier retirement destination and to assist Louisiana cities and parishes in their efforts to position their communities as havens for retirement. Crowley, Covington, Lake Charles, Thibodeaux, and the parishes of Natchitoches and St. Landry are in their second year of the program.

The selected communities receive inclusion in state-level marketing efforts, technical assistance, networking opportunities and funding to support the program. Grants of $20,000 will be awarded to the eleven communities who are required to provide $10,000 in local match funding. The funding supports the requirements of a participating community: strategic and annual action plans, marketing efforts, a community forum event and final report submission.

In Louisiana, residents 55 and older provided an economic benefit of $319 million and contributed $598 million to charities in 2000.