City of Sumter Receives Third AARC Seal of Approval

Sumter, SC (Nov. 19, 2019) - For the third year in a row, the City of Sumter has received the coveted American Association of Retirement Communities (AARC) “Seal of Approval” at the AARC Conference, held in November 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee.  The prestigious award comes from the nation’s leading organization for educating local governments and private communities on retiree attraction.

The AARC “Seal of Approval” is presented annually to communities that demonstrate a cutting-edge commitment to creating a top-notch destination through lifestyle programming, amenities development, communication programs, and education.

Sumter remains the only municipality in South Carolina to earn the AARC “Seal of Approval” Award.

“This recognition puts Sumter in a class by itself among South Carolina Certified Retirement Communities, stated Kathleen Head, Visitors Center Coordinator. “As a Certified Retirement Community, Sumter is one of 25 retirement communities across the United States awarded by the AARC.”

To be considered for the award, a municipality must meet strict criteria, with offerings that appeal to those looking to retire, move, and begin the next chapter of their lives. Among the factors taken into consideration are affordability, cost of living, healthcare, continued education, lifestyle, and a sense of community.

AARC is a non-profit professional organization established in 1994 to support the efforts of states and municipalities, community developers, and non-profit businesses who market for retirees. The “Seal of Approval” program recognizes communities who have made a demonstrable commitment to retirees. The program has been used to help differentiate among those communities seeking retirees for relocation.The AARC endorsement helps raise the stature of retiree attraction marketing for communities that receive the “Seal of Approval.”

For more info on AARC, please visit the-aarc.org.