Message From the CEO: COVID-19 Update
Louisiana REALTORS • March 16, 2020
LR Volunteer Leaders,
As I update you with this email on the COVID 19 Virus, the issues surrounding this pandemic continue to rapidly change and be very fluid! I first want to say that I hope everyone is safe and taking precautions and caring for those that need assistance. I also want to stress to everyone to be calm and keep up with the news and alerts.
It appears that there have been many closures/restrictions enacted by State Government/Federal Government and the legislature is looking at recessing until a later date. In light of these events and potentially other actions, the LR will have a very limited staff on site at the physical office. Our voice mail will give members information how to reach staff immediately to be able to get information on real estate issues and association services/programs as staff is equipped to work remotely just like being here in the LR office. Let me be clear that the LR staff is working and ready to help members on a moment’s notice!
The LR has postponed the following events to a later date:
LR Leadership Retreat
CCIM Energy Conference,
Louisiana IREM luncheon & live education courses,
Other events scheduled for a live setting
The LR Spring Into Action Conference will be rescheduled as we are waiting on the legislature and other event notices before we can release a final determination on when the meetings will occur, but we will be updating you on the new dates as soon as we can. As soon as we have a final plan for the Spring Into Action Conference we will work with all of you that have already registered and secured a hotel room.
I have asked Patty McMurray, our legal counsel to put together a best practice dealing with real estate transactions in light of issues surrounding the COVID 19 Virus, along with guidance for local associations on employment issues brought up by the situation. As soon as we have these memos we will forward to you this information. However, for your general needs at this time, Baker Donaldson has put together a Corona Virus Resource Center with articles, webinar recordings and links to keep you apprised of the changing landscape which can be found right below. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS LINK PLEASE EMAIL KIM CALLAWAY at kim@larealtors.org who will work with Baker Doneldson on facilitating answers to your questions.
Baker Donelson : What You Need to Know
As soon as the President signs into law a stimulus package, we will forward this information out to the membership on how this legislation may affect or help independent contractors and broker-owners and their employees. Please stay safe and know we will come out of this event stronger than ever!!
Other resources for coronavirus information:
CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Louisiana REALTORS® CEO Norman Morris issued the following statement after SpaceX announced plans to invest $100 billion in a new launch facility in Vermilion Parish. The project is expected to create 3,000 direct jobs and more than 8,100 indirect jobs across Acadiana. “SpaceX’s investment is an extraordinary economic win for Louisiana. We congratulate Governor Jeff Landry, Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois, Vermilion Parish leaders, and everyone who helped bring this historic project home. The housing and infrastructure improvements needed to support more than 11,000 new job opportunities should generate a huge economic boost to the Acadiana and Gulf Coast region. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, each typical Louisiana home sale generates approximately $88,600 in economic activity. Even if only half of the new SpaceX related jobs lead to a home purchase, the impact would generate nearly half a billion dollars across our state's economy. That improves our tax base and school systems, and ripples through our economy touching builders, bankers, hardware stores, appliance dealers, contractors and so many more. “Housing is not downstream of economic development; it is an essential infrastructure. Louisiana REALTORS® and our partners stand ready to help turn these new jobs into homes, stronger communities and lasting roots in Louisiana. Economic development creates jobs, but housing turns those jobs into homes. Let’s make Louisiana home again, together.” Economic-impact estimates are illustrative calculations by Louisiana REALTORS® using employment projections from Louisiana Economic Development and the National Association of REALTORS®’ estimated economic impact per typical Louisiana home sale. They are not forecasts or recurring annual-impact figures. Enjoy the video below from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development .
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