Retirees in Hattiesburg can enjoy year-round fishing and other outdoor activities

Six large signs have been placed at the corporate limits to Hattiesburg on State Highways 49N, 42, 98W, 49S, 11 S. and east of Hwy 49 on Hardy Street to make travelers aware of the city's designation as a Mississippi Certified Retirement City.

"We are most appreciative that the Department of Transportation Commissioners and staff agreed to allow the retirement city designation on state highway entrances to our 20 Certified Retirement Cities. The signs will be of great benefit to travelers, particularly out-of-state tourists. Our research shows that persons who move to another state to retire generally visit first as tourists," commented Jimmy Heidel, Executive Director of the Department of Economic and Community Development. "We continue to promote in national advertising and public relations campaigns the fact that Mississippi is the only state which sets criteria for and certifies cities based on retiree desirability."

Retirees living in Hattiesburg's historic neighborhoods can enjoy a cost of living far below the national average

The signs were designed, fabricated, and constructed by the Department of Transportation and paid for by the Hometown Mississippi Retirement program of the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development.

"Hattiesburg has met stringent requirements which allows it to be promoted as a Mississippi Certified Retirement City. The state's job is to promote the 20 certified cites on a nationwide basis, and the local commutes job is to convince the inquirers to move. Susan Walker, vice president of the Area Development Partnership and director of the Hattiesburg Retirement Program, and her contingent of enthusiastic volunteers are doing a great job in operation the program on the local seventh in following up the leads with personal contact and in putting in place ongoing programs tap newcomer retirees get acclimated in to the community. These signs should also be a great source of pride to the local people for what Hattiesburg has accomplished," commented Barbara McDonald, Director of Hometown Mississippi Retirement.

Benefits of retirees moving to a city are manifold. Research shows that 3.7 factory jobs are required to meet the economic equivalent of each retiree household which relocates in a city, plus the retirees bring a wealth of expertise and experiences to volunteer in local community, civic and church activities.