COMMISSIONER STAPLES RECOGNIZES SABINE COUNTY AS NEW GO TEXAN CERTIFIED RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

 

HEMPHILL – Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced today that Sabine County has been approved as a GO TEXAN Certified Retirement Community (CRC). The county is the 23^rd community in the state to be certified.

 

Launched in June 2006, the Texas Department of Agriculture’s CRC initiative helps rural Texas communities attract retirees and potential retirees to their respective locales. The CRC Program also encourages tourism while promoting the state as a desirable retirement destination to current and future retirees across the country.

 

“I extend my most sincere congratulations to the citizens and leaders of Sabine County for achieving this notable certification,” Commissioner Staples said.  “Sabine County is a very welcomed addition to this great program, and this certification is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its citizens.”

 

“I express my appreciation to Commissioner Staples, his office and staff for their assistance and guidance given throughout the certification process,” Charles E. Watson, County Judge, said. “I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the members of our community who have worked so hard to achieve this certification. We are very happy to be a part of this program and hope to be an asset to this group, as we know they will be to us.”

 

Retirees spend an average of $42,500 each year in their new communities while also paying $3,000 or more in state and local taxes. Texas is the second most popular retirement state, and native Texans account for one-fifth of retirees returning to Texas.

 

To become a CRC, communities must complete an application and retirement desirability assessment covering a wide range of topics including demographics, tax structure, local housing availability, safety, employment opportunities, availability of health care services, public transportation and more. The application also includes a marketing plan and a long-term plan. An independent volunteer advisory team representing leaders in business, healthcare, city/state government and retirees reviews and scores the applications.

 

“The Texas Department of Agriculture is looking forward to working with Sabine County and our other certified retirement communities in a campaign to attract retirees and tourists to the Lone Star State,” Commissioner Staples said.

 

The CRC Program is open to any community in Texas that wants to showcase itself as a retirement location and a tourist destination. Interested communities should contact TDA’s Rural Economic Development Division toll free at (877) 428-7848 or e-mail finance@texasagriculture.gov.

 

For more information on the GO TEXAN CRC Program, please visit TDA’s Web site at www.texasagriculture.gov.  For more information on retiring in Texas, please visit the official state Web site at www.retireintexas.org.