The N.C. Department of Commerce announced Thursday that Asheboro has been designated as a N.C. Certified Retirement Community. The N.C. General Assembly established the program in 2008 to designate communities that offer unprecedented quality of living that is desirable to retirees.
“The leadership in Asheboro understands and appreciates the contribution that retirees can make to the overall enrichment of a community,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco. “This distinction will be a positive economic development tool for the city and all of its residents.”
“North Carolina currently enjoys a robust in-migration of retirees to the state, and this program seeks to attract retirees and encourage them to make their homes here,” said Lynn Minges, Assistant Commerce Secretary for Tourism, Marketing and Global Branding. “The program encourages mature market travelers to visit North Carolina and evaluate our state as a desirable place to retire.”
To gain certification, a local government must submit an application that includes a comprehensive community survey and assessment tool that spans numerous dimensions reflective of the city’s readiness for retiree attraction. Ratings criteria include:
- Demographics
- Housing/Technology
- Healthcare
- Local Economy
- Leisure/Cultural Opportunities
- Services for Retirees
- Community/Education/Military
“Having retirees move into Asheboro means that we’re creating new jobs, adding wisdom and experience to our community and growing our population without the need to expand services like schools,” said Asheboro Mayor David Smith. “We have four beautiful seasons, a vibrant arts community, great cultural and recreational resources - we think we have exactly what many retirees are looking for, and we’re eager to welcome them to our community.”
Asheboro, which submitted its application in January, 2012, was noted for its abundance of cultural activities as well as local amenities that are attractive to retirees. Communities with this official designation receive marketing and promotion assistance from the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film, and Sports Development Division.
The N.C. Department of Commerce will accept applications for the Certified Retirement Community Program in January and July of each calendar year. A copy of the application can be found at www.nccommerce.com/cd/rural-development/certified-retirement-communities.
North Carolina previously named the City of Lumberton as a Certified Retirement Community in April 2010.
The N.C. General Assembly, during the 2008 short session, recognized the inherent abundance 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.