Recommendations for Implementing a Retiree

Attraction Program

As with other forms of economic development, proper assessment, thoughtful planning, and coordination

of efforts are required to succeed. The State of Alabama has provided it’s communities with an eight basic step process to develop a successful retiree attraction program. We believe these steps can be followed here beginning with the commitment and establishment by the Lawrence City Commission and Douglas County Commission items one through three.

Basic Steps

1. Form a Retiree Attraction Committee. Formally establish a Retiree Attraction Committee (RAC). The

RAC’s responsibility will be to develop, coordinate, and execute the overall retiree attraction program.

2. Designate a Sponsor. The local program should have an official sponsoring organization, such as the

local chamber of commerce, economic development authority, or local governing body.

3. Establish Official Community Support. In an effort to assure the support of community leaders, a resolution by the local governing body endorsing the local retirement action effort is needed.

4. Seek Unofficial Community Support. The success of the local program depends, to a large degree,

on the support of churches, clubs, businesses, and local media.

5. Establish Committees. Each community should develop a general Retiree Attraction Committee with

a minimum of four to five subcommittees: community inventory/assessment, community relations/fundraising, marketing/promotion, connectors or ambassadors, and program evaluation.

6. Develop a Community Profile. The sponsor must develop a community profile similar to those

used by many chambers of commerce. It would include such factors as crime statistics, tax information,

recreation opportunities, health services, community engagement and housing availability.

7. Write a Marketing Plan. The purpose of this plan is to detail the many things needed to successfully

implement a program, focusing on the types of retirees the community desires and how the community

expects to achieve its goals. The plan should include details of the following: a mission statement,

identification of the target market, identification of the competition, an analysis of the community’s

strengths and weaknesses, and the strategies the local program will employ to attain its goals.

8. Create a Prospect Package. Send relevant information to prospective retirees in a timely manner

and maintain contact  through regular and systematic follow-up.