The role of natural resource amenities in attracting retirees: implications for economic growth policy

Abstract

Increasing criticism of resource-extractive and polluting heavy duty industries in urbanareas, as well as continuing declines in timbering, farming and mining in rural areas, havecreated challenges for planners and policy makers seeking sustainable rural economies.Earlier studies have concluded that a “retiree economy” is a viable approach for ruraleconomic sustainability. Using specific measures of natural amenities that are variant overtime; this study examined the role that natural amenity resources have played in attractingretirees. Results reveal that the rural and biologically rich counties with substantial land usediversity, water amenities, and other man-modified natural and recreational attractionshave great potential for attracting retirees. The findings from this study can be useful forlocal and regional agencies to identity their latent potential to promote retiree economy, andalso to predict the future amenity demands. In addition, we draw other policy implicationsregarding regional economic growth and ecological concern in rural America.

Citation

Poudyal, Neelam C.; Hodges, Donald G.; Cordell, H. Ken. 2008. The role of natural resource amenities in attracting retirees: implications for economic growth policy. Ecological Economics, Vol. 68: 240-248.