N.C. Certified Retirement Community Program
The N.C. Department of Commerce operates a community development program for communities that are positioning for retiree attraction as an economic and community development strategy. North Carolina currently enjoys a robust in-migration of retirees to the state who desire to have it all in North Carolina.
The North Carolina General Assembly, during the 2008 short session, recognized the inherent panoply of quality living that the state offers and established the N.C. Certified Retirement Community Program (S.B. 1627) as a vehicle to designate communities that offer this unprecedented, quality of living that is sought by the mature community.
Evaluation
To gain certification, a local government must submit an application for consideration. Initial evaluation of the community and technical assistance is provided by Commerce's Community Development Division. The designation has a five year life, after which communities will need to consider recertification at the sunset of the five year period.
Download the 2011-2012 program application
2012 Program Application (Word format)
For further information regarding the N.C. Certified Retirement Community Program, please contact: Charlie Thompson at (919) 571-4900 ext. 268.
Information Session Announcement
On Dec. 7 an information session was held for interested applicants. Representatives from Commere's Community Development and Tourism, Film, and Sports Development Divisions were on hand to present information and answer questions about the program.
Presentation from the Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development
Presentation from the N.C. Department of Commerce
Marketing
Once a community has completed the certification process, the Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development will help market and promote the community. For information on marketing, contact Andre Nabors at (919) 733-7502
Communities
The City of Lumberton has been officially designated as the first N.C. Certified Retirement Community on April 20, 2010. Lumberton, through the Retiree Attraction committee’s work has earned its designation by a process that has included completion of a comprehensive community survey and assessment tool that spans numerous dimensions reflective of the community’s readiness for retiree attraction. For more information, please visit the city's website.