A. Any community in this state is eligible to be named a certified retirement community. In an application to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for recognition as a certified retirement community, the applicant shall clearly articulate how the applicant defines community for purposes of seeking certification.

B. Each community seeking certification shall meet the following requirements:

1. The community shall submit an application to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce containing basic demographic and statistical information, including crime statistics, tax-related information, recreational opportunities, housing prices and availability, health care and emergency medical service availability and other factors deemed relevant by the Department;

2. The community shall demonstrate the support and active involvement of the local governing body, churches, clubs, businesses, media outlets or other entities with an interest in the future of the community;

3. The community shall submit with the application a plan describing the community’s long-term care facility and service capabilities and the community’s strategy for marketing the community to retirees. The plan shall include a target market, a list of competing communities, an analysis of the community’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and dangers, and the steps the community will employ to achieve the goals of the plan; and

4. The applicant community shall certify the availability of at least Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) to be expended by the community to implement the Certified Retirement Communities Program.

C. For purposes of this act, “community” means a city, town or county. A community can be coterminous with a political subdivision of the state or with a particular geographic boundary.

Added by Laws 2010, c. 209, § 3, eff. July 1, 2010.