Northeast GA Regional Commission Becomes 9th Age-Friendly Region in Georgia

ATHENS, GEORGIA – The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States & Communities welcomed the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission (NEGRC) into the network during an in-person designation ceremony on March 14, 2024. The 12 counties represented by the Commission, serves 21% of older adults who are 60 years old and an estimated more than 700,000 Georgians. NEGRC joins almost 800 other communities around the country that have committed to preparing for an aging population.

Launched in 2012, the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities (NAFSC) is an organizational affiliate of the World Health Organization Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, a program launched in 2006. Through the age-friendly program, AARP helps participating communities to become more livable and age-friendly by creating safer and more walkable streets, needed housing and transportation options, better access to key services, and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities.

“The Northeast Georgia Regional Commission (NEGRC) is very pleased to receive AARP’s designation as an “Age-Friendly” Region. We appreciate the efforts of AARP Georgia staff for assisting us in our efforts,” said Burke Walker, Executive Director for NEGRC. “Through this designation, we look forward to accessing programs that will enhance our existing efforts in improving the quality-of-life and health in Northeast Georgia. Like the other Regional Commissions across the state, we value this designation and the partnership it creates on both a regional and state level.

“We are thrilled that the Northeast GA Regional Commission has joined the network,” said Debra Tyler-Horton, State Director for AARP Georgia. “We commend the Commission for recognizing the value of being an age-friendly community for people of all ages, and we look forward to continuing our work together to make the region a great place to grow up and grow old.”

The NAFSC provides a structured process that guides change and serves as a catalyst to educate, encourage, promote, and recognize improvements that benefit residents of all ages and life stages. Enrollment in the network provides member communities with the resources to become more age-friendly by tapping into national and global research, planning models and best practices.

Georgia is home to the nation’s first age-friendly community – Macon-Bibb County– which is celebrating its 10-year NAFSC anniversary in 2022. In total, there are 152 Georgia communities that are currently part of the NAFSC.

For more information, visit www.aarp.org/livable