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By Suzanne Blake
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Across America, many towns are hoping to lure in new residents with a little financial incentive.
As some areas face decreasing populations, 22 towns are welcoming remote workers with money or other networking programs.
"The programs are creating a surge in real estate demand, and municipal bond optimism," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek. "One remote worker spending $50,000 annually in your town pays for that $10,000 incentive in just a few months of local economic activity."
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Why It Matters
While some cities and states have skyrocketed in population in recent years, others are dealing with low birth rates, declining industry and a widespread relocation of residents to other areas.
However, as remote work has become a viable option, some workers are looking for a lower cost of living and networking opportunities within a smaller town, where home ownership may be more possible.
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What To Know
According to the website MakeMyMove, there are 22 towns that offer incentives or networking programs to remote workers, teachers, nurses or otherwise new residents.
Texarkana, Texas
In the town of Texarkana, remote workers who migrate to the area are offered $5,000 in cash for relocation costs and 25 percent off tuition and their first class free at Texas A&M Texarkana.
They can also earn a free first class at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, a one-year membership to the Assembly Line Creator space, and access to the Texas Pioneer Foundation Scholarship, along with a host of other benefits targeting community engagement.
Plainfield, Indiana
Plainfield, Indiana, which has 36,000 residents, is ushering in new people via its $5,000 relocation bonus alongside a one-year family membership to the Richard A Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center.
Remote workers who choose this town also gain access to a Level 2 coworking studio membership for a year.
Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, Indiana has a similar program, with $5,000 in cash available plus a VIP Community Pass, enabling you easy membership to coworking spaces, a country club, the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce and more.
Frankfort, Kentucky
The capital of Kentucky offers remote workers $5,000 for relocation, Mingle with the Mayor, a Buffalo Trace Distillery tour and more.
Mayfield and Graves County, Kentucky
Also in the state of Kentucky, Mayfield and Graves County will provide the same $5,000 cash, Lunch with the Mayor of Mayfield, 50 percent off childcare and many other benefits.
Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah, which contains 16 municipal parks, offers up to $2,500 to be applied to moving expenses.
New residents will also get up to $70 per month towards internet expenses for 12 months and a waiver of the City of Paducah's 2 percent payroll tax for the same time period.
Jacksonville, Illinois
Located in central Illinois, Jacksonville has many pros to moving there. This includes $5,000 cash for relocation, $300 in "Chamber Checks" compliments of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank of Arenzville, and People's Bank & Trust, a complimentary checking account and much more.
Haven, Kansas
Haven, Kansas, offers new residents affordable living alongside a $5,000 homebuyer bonus.
Down payment assistance is also available for those relocating to Reno County, along with a slew of other welcome gifts.
West Memphis, Arkansas
In West Memphis, Arkansas, you can score either $5,000 in cash for relocating or $10,000 for homeowners.
There's also a welcome meal with the mayor for those who decide to make the town their new home.
Farmington, New Mexico
In Farmington, New Mexico, you receive some new perks worth up to $500.
Some of the offerings are an 18-hole round of golf at Pinon Hills, one free entry for a family of four/vehicle to Lake Farmington Beach and one 2-night stay at the Lake Farmington Campgrounds.
Huntington County, Indiana
Another small community in Indiana, Huntington, provides $5,000 in cash or 5 percent in down payment assistance.
There's a host of other benefits too, like a free six-week summer day camp for kids ages 4-14 and a free three-month trial family membership to the Huntington YMCA.
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Mount Pleasant will offer up to $1,500 reimbursement to help with rent, mortgage, childcare, and other qualifying expenses
New residents also gain membership in the Young Professionals Network to build their career connections.
Traverse City, Michigan
Also in Michigan, the Traverse City area hopes to lure in remote workers with $5,000 cash for housing support for qualifying new leases or new mortgages
Also among other perks is the chance to have one-on-one relocation support sessions with regional ambassadors.
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson is aiming to be a welcoming environment for remote workers, with its new resident arrival package including two day passes per week at the 16Tech co-working space, a six-month pass to CoHatch co-working spaces across the Indy Region and a Day Won fitness class voucher, among many other benefits.
Nickerson, Kansas
If you move to Nickerson, expect a $5,000 homebuyer bonus in addition to down payment assistance, three months of high-speed internet, and even a welcome kit that includes a specialty-made casserole.
Avon, Indiana
Avon's perks include an Indiana Pacers or Fever Ticket Pack, coffee with an Indy Local and a Forty5 Live Music Ticket Pack.
Jasper, Indiana
Your move to Jasper, Indiana, as a remote worker will be reimbursed with $4,500 in cash and an annual pass to Indiana Department of Natural Resources state parks, among other freebies.
Danville, Indiana
Danville, Indiana's total incentive amounts to $10,000 and includes an Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Ticket Bundle and an Indy Eleven Soccer Ticket Pack.
Elwood, Indiana
Elwood offers many of the same perks as other Indiana towns in the same region, including the weekly day passes at the 16Tech co-working space.
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is home to roughly 24,000 residents and said it would be announcing its community incentives soon.
Pittsfield, Illinois
If you move to Pittsfield as a remote worker, you'll gain access to $5,000 as a relocation bonus plus three months of free internet and utilities
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Poplar Bluff is similar to many other towns in its $5,000 relocation cash offering, but you'll also get a one-year membership to Smart Space, a co-working space in the community, and free shows at the Black River Coliseum for one year.
What People Are Saying
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "Towns are putting these incentives on the table to attract younger, vibrant talent that can breathe new life into their communities. Many of these places are aging, and growth stalls without an influx of working-age residents. By bringing in new people, they hope to expand their tax base, support local businesses, and spark economic activity."
Ryan told Newsweek: "These relocation programs are basically economic CPR for dying towns. Data shows highly educated adults are flowing to states with major metropolitan areas, leaving behind rural and post-industrial communities. So these places are paying up to $12,000 just to stop the bleeding."
Realtor.com senior economist Jake Krimmel told Newsweek: "These types of programs are part of a general push to revitalize heartland cities with higher-skilled, often remote-first workers. This sort of revitalization could come through a few channels: an increased tax base helps balance local budgets and pay for more services; more high-earning workers means more local spending and therefore more demand for local jobs; and attracting highly-skilled workers can create small industry hubs for entrepreneurs or other new small businesses."
What Happens Next
Thompson said while states like Indiana and Kansas are leading the charge when it comes to relocation incentives, he doesn't see it transforming relocation on its own.
"Incentives only go so far without competitive wages," Thompson said. "Where it does have legs is with remote workers. These towns know they can't compete with the salaries or opportunities of big cities, so they're betting on attracting people who earn elsewhere but want a lower cost of living and who are willing to move for the bonus money on top."
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