MANCHESTER, NH – The Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (SNHPC) has a unique opportunity to work with businesses on a pilot program for Becoming Age-Friendly and invites interested businesses to apply.
After successfully completing the first phase of their grant-funded program, the commission is in the midst of phase II: selecting up to 10 businesses in the region to create unique strategic plans for becoming age-friendly. Age-Friendly planning recognizes the needs for people of all ages. For SNHPC, the recent planning efforts within this framework give special consideration to New Hampshire’s growing senior population and the declining millennial population (born 1980-2000).
“NH is an aging state. While our older adult population is growing, our younger adults are leaving the state. Every business is aware that hiring young talent is an ever-growing challenge. As a state, we need to attract young people to keep vibrant and alive, while assisting older adults through aging challenges,” said SNHPC Executive Director Sylvia von Aulock.
Working with stakeholders from the business community, local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and AARP NH, SNHPC hopes to work with interested businesses in the next six months to accomplish three goals:
1) Assess the business – identify age-friendly strengths and opportunities for improvement
2) Research case studies – research best practices for businesses of that industry classification
3) Create tailored strategic plan – author list of strategies and anticipated costs for implementing age-friendly policies or improvements to the business.
SNHPC is fortunate to have the support of agencies with experience and tools that can help guide this work, such as AARP’s Livable Communities Toolkit. As a result, developing the strategic plans will come at no cost to the participating businesses.
Businesses are encouraged to complete the application featured on the SNHPC website before January 24 and either email to dshooster@snhpc.org or via mail: SNHPC c/o Derek Shooster 438 Dubuque Street Manchester, NH 03102.
To learn more about SNHPC’s Becoming Age-Friendly program, please visit www.snhpc.org, or follow along on Facebook @BecomingAgeFriendly.
