LMR July 2023

During our 85 th Annual Convention in
Lafayette last year, the excitement of village,
town, and city officials was palpable,
as the night’s events turned to the
always impressive, ever coveted Community
Achievement Awards. Drum
rolls rat-a-tat-tatted, and municipalities
were called up to receive awards in
their respective categories. In the end,
though, it’s Best in Show that brings
the house down. And the Town of Jean
Lafitte came to win!
Mayor Tim Kerner Jr.’s administration
and staff won for their “Louisiana Wetlands
Educational Center.” It’s a $3.5 million
dollar facility for residents and visitors
that not only supplies jobs in their
community, but provides a boost to local
tourism, businesses, and restaurants. Located
in the center of one of the world’s
largest and most productive wetlands
and estuaries, this 3,500 square-foot
educational center educates students,
residents, and visitors about the ecology,
importance, and rebuilding of the
wetlands and coast of South Louisiana.
Not only does it provide visitors with an
opportunity to learn about the deteriorating
coast, but also about how the
town is turning the tide to rebuild the
wetlands and save our environment and
way of life.
I caught up with Mayor Kerner Jr. a year
later to find out how he’s feeling about
the big win, and to get an update
86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION
Community Achievement Awards: A Look Back
“We were thrilled to pick up the Best in
Show last year, as everyone worked so
hard to create a project that would not
only benefit our citizenry, but also make
positive environmental impacts for generations
to come,” said Mayor Kerner Jr.
“Our Louisiana Wetlands Education Center
is all systems go, and it won’t be long
now until the differences this facility will
make in terms of environmental awareness
and education will be a part of everyday
life here in Jean Lafitte.”
The Community Achievement Awards
are presented each year at the LMA Annual
Convention to municipalities that
had outstanding projects promoting
progress in municipal services during
the past calendar year. Municipalities
are eligible to compete in four populations
tiers from 3,000 and under; 3,001-
10,000; 10,001-25,000; and 25,001 and
over. Winning entries are recognized at
the conclusion of the Annual Banquet
by the LMA, the Louisiana Department
of Economic Development, Louisiana
Industrial Development Executives
Association, Capital Region Planning
Commission, Louisiana Association of
Planning and Development Districts,
Louisiana Main Street, and Louisiana Office
of State Fire Marshall.
Awards will be given in these four categories:
• Basic Services (water, sewer, streets,
municipal buildings, etc.)
• Community Development
(public transportation, main street
improvements, public building,
parks and recreation, etc.)
• Economic Development (industrial
parks, tourism, community
promotion, workforce development,
etc.)
• Technology & Creativity
(Broadband, marketing,
communication programs,
proliferation of technology
essentials, etc.)
With so many wonderful and progressive
Community Achievement Award
submissions this year, Best in Show is
anyone’s guess. Our 2022 champ is out
there, and it won’t be long until we find
out who take home the glory!
by Charlotte
Smith
AMCorp
International
Smith is a Senior Communications
Consultant for AMCorp and is the Editor
of the Louisiana Municipal Review.
Contact: charlotte@teamamcorp.com
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LMR | JULY 2023