for retiree recruitment

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce is working hard to recruit senior citizens to the Troy area.

Actually, the efforts have now included a group going to Gulf Shores on a recruitment trip.

Four senior citizens from the Colley Senior Complex left Wednesday on a mission to get retirees to consider moving to Troy.

Marsha Gaylard, president of the Chamber, explained to the Pike County Board of Realtors on Wednesday what they are trying to do.

"Their one on one contact is what’s so important," Gaylard said.

She hopes the recruiting trip will be more successful than the "hit and miss" efforts of the past.

"Retirees are a wonderful group of people to recruit to your community," Gaylard said.

"They’re not a drain on your community. They have a lot to offer."

According to state figures, recruiting 50 senior citizens has the same impact as a $2 million new industry, Gaylard said.

Gaylard said a video about Troy and Pike County was created a couple of years ago for the purpose of recruiting seniors to the area. Studies have shown many will go to their local libraries to research areas of interest when deciding where to retire and the videos are ideal for libraries.

"We feel like we have a lot to offer in Pike County," Gaylard said. "We feel like we’re ideal for retirees."

And, there are those who have chosen to retire here.

"Most of the ones we’re seeing (move here), grew up here," Gaylard said of those who have chosen to come "home" in their retirement years.

Gaylard hopes more retirees make that same decision.

She feels certain the moderate temperatures, close proximity to the beach and the gentle rolling hills will show senior citizens just what Pike County has to offer them.

"We have the best of both worlds here," Gaylard said, adding the cultural activities provided by Troy being a college town and the rural feel are things people ask about when choosing a place to retire.