On Jan. 23, N.C. Commerce Sec. Sharon Decker presented Eden with its N.C. Certified Retirement Community certificate. The distinction means the state has certified that Eden has the infrastructure and amenities sought by retirees. In addition, the Division will provide promotional assistance to help encourage retirees to visit and relocate to the area. Eden met a rigorous set of requirements, including a comprehensive community survey and an asset assessment of the community’s preparedness for retiree attraction. Now that the city has been named a Certified Retirement Community, the group and city staff will work with the Division to promote Eden as a great relocation destination for retirees through RetireNC.comand consumer trade shows, such as the AARP Life@50+ and Ideal Living Resort & Retirement Expo. Eden is the latest town to be designated into the N.C. Certified Community Program, joining Asheboro, Lumberton, Marion, Mount Airy, Pittsboro, and Sanford. Applications are accepted at the Division January 31 and July 31.
The General Assembly has charged the N.C. Dept. of Commerce with operating the state’s Certified Retirement Community program (S.B.1627), which recognizes towns that are positioning themselves for retiree attraction as an economic and community development strategy. Once a community has completed the certification process, the Division of Tourism, Film & Sports Development will help market and promote the community through Web presence on RetireNC, e-marketing, social media, public relations, visitor services and research among other opportunities. For more information on the N.C. Certified Retirement Community program, contact André Nabors at (919) 733-7502.