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Forbes
31-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
17 Places In The U.S. That Will Pay You As Much As $12,000 To Move There (And That's Not All)
Texarkana—one of dozens of towns across the U.S. that will pay you to move—is proud of its roots. The downtown mural by artist Darlene Taylor is a local favorite and a symbol of the community spirit that's attracting new residents. Nichole Holze Thinking of making a move? What if you could get paid to move somewhere new—someplace with a lower cost of living, a better quality of life and a community that actually wants you there? That's the idea behind MakeMyMove, an online marketplace that connects remote workers and other professionals with towns and cities across the U.S. offering financial incentives to relocate. If it sounds familiar, you're not wrong—I've written about similar programs created by a village in Italy, the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma and the state of Vermont, What started as one-off headlines has become a full-blown trend. And it's a concept that's catching on fast. 'We launched at the end of 2020 during the pandemic, when we realized that newly remote workers were free agents—suddenly able to live and work wherever they wanted,' Evan Hock, co-founder of MakeMyMove, told me in an interview. 'We started with about 20 programs. Now there are more than 170 on the site, covering hundreds of towns across the country.' Hock calls it 'relocation economics'—a new kind of economic development model that flips the old playbook. Instead of trying to attract big corporations with tax breaks, towns are investing in people. And the return on investment is real. A view of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is paying people to move there. getty 'We've worked with economists to measure the impact,' says Hock. 'For every $100,000 of income we help a town attract, it generates $83,000 of incremental economic activity each year. The lifetime value of a household is close to half a million dollars.' Texarkana, Texas is a prime example. The town launched its 'Redi-Set-Move' program in 2024 and has already attracted dozens of high-income remote workers. In return, newcomers get a $5,000 relocation bonus, tuition discounts, memberships to arts and business organizations, and even a welcome lunch with the mayor. 'We're open for business—and for living,' Rob Sitterley, president and CEO of AR-TX REDI, told me in an interview. 'This program helps us attract talent, grow our tax base, support local universities, and boost entrepreneurship. We've seen over 8,000 applications already.' The incentive package also includes a yearlong membership to a local creator space, tickets to the symphony, and opportunities for newcomers to connect with community leaders and young professionals. 'It's about more than the money—it's about building connections and encouraging people to put down roots,' says Sitterley. Melanie Daniel, who relocated from Memphis to Texarkana through the MakeMyMove program. Melanie Daniel Melanie Daniel was one of those applicants. A remote worker in the e-learning space, she moved from Memphis to Texarkana after selling her house—and dealing with one too many home repairs. 'I searched for places that would pay me to move and came across MakeMyMove. Texarkana responded within days,' she says. 'Now I live in a luxury apartment, I've made new friends, and I'm getting involved in the community. I've recommended it to so many people.' Other places are just getting started. Cedar Rapids, Iowa is just launching a program offering $5,000 in relocation cash plus local perks. 'We've seen huge investment in infrastructure and business,' says Jodi Schafer, the city's talent attraction director. 'Now it's time to invest in people.' According to Schafer, community immersion is a key part of the strategy. 'These incentives help newcomers experience the region and build relationships—two things that are critical to long-term retention,' she says. Here is a sampling of some of the best places in the U.S. that are paying people to move in 2025—and what they offer. Kress Gap in Texarkana. Nichole Holze Places In The U.S. That Will Pay You To Move There Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas This community that blends small town charm and big opportunities is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, 25% tuition discount to Texas A&M Texarkana; one year membership to The Assembly Line, Texarkana's brand-new creator space, preferred membership to Leadership Texarkana, breakfast with Texarkana leaders and VIP access to Texarkana's Business Scene. New Albany, Indiana This up-and-coming town in Southern Indiana, across the river from the bourbon capital of the U.S. is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, five year Dual Co-Working Space Memberships to The Root and Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus and a $5,000 business start-up grant. Switzerland County, Indiana This rural destination offers a $5,000 cash incentive and access to a scenic lifestyle with proximity to Cincinnati, Louisville and Indianapolis. Crawfordsville, Indiana This town offers a $5,000 relocation package, plus a one-year YMCA family membership and $100 in Chamber Bucks. Morgantown, West Virginia One of the fastest growing towns in the state with beautiful natural amenities is offering a $12,000 relocation cash incentive; free co-working space and social programming, along with professional development and entrepreneurial assistance. Jacksonville, Illinois This community with small-town charm and lots of career growth is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive; $300 in Chamber Bucks, three months of fiber broadband service and a 'Build Your Career in Jacksonville' package including a variety of incentives. Mayfield, Kentucky The beautiful town known for its community engagement and opportunities to grow professionally is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, lunch with the Mayor and other local leadership and membership to the Mayfield Graves County Young Professionals Group and Rotary Club. Columbus, Georgia This town with an affordable cost of living and lots of recreational activities is offering a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, six months of co-working space at CoWork Columbus, community connection outings, monthly mover meet ups, coffee with the mayor and a one-year membership to the Young Professionals Program and Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. Macon-Bibb, Georgia This community welcomes newcomers with a $2,500 cash stipend, a three-month co-working space membership, moving service discounts and housing incentives. Hermitage, Pennsylvania Set in the heart of Western Pennsylvania, this community offers a $5,000 relocation cash incentive, six months of coworking space and monthly coffee networking events. Benton Harbor, Michigan This town offers $5,000 in down payment assistance and the appeal of lakeside living in a community where the cost of living is 15% below the national average. Southwest Michigan This region invites new residents with $5,000 in down payment assistance, support for partners' career placement, school enrollment help for kids and free tuition at Lake Michigan College. Belleville, Kansas This town is incentivizing homebuilders with up to $35,000 for new construction or $25,000 for the first five homes built within city limits. Hutchinson, Kansas This community adds $7,500 toward your home purchase in a town known for affordability and small-town charm. Neodesha, Kansas This town is going all in with a mix of cash and benefits: up to $15,000 in student loan repayment, free college tuition for local graduates, daycare support and property tax rebates. Montpelier, Vermont This state capital offers $5,000 in cash, free fiber internet for a year, $500 in co-working credit and a community welcome event. Greater Rochester, New York This region welcomes newcomers with a $10,000 cash incentive and additional perks like free co-working space and access to startup resources. MORE FROM FORBES: Forbes Here's How You Can Get Paid $16,000 To Move To Spain Forbes The Best (And Most Affordable) Places To Live In America: 2025 Report Forbes The 20 Best Cities To Live In The World, According To A 2025 Report
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia lawmakers face a pivotal decision over a controversial mining ban: 'This moratorium horse has legs'
Georgia lawmakers have introduced two bills to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from nearby mining activities, reported the Current GA. State Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) introduced H.B. 562, which would create a five-year pause on new mining on Trail Ridge, and H.B. 561, the Okefenokee Protection Act, which would ban future mining in the area completely. Coastal legislators Ron Stephens and Steven Sainz are backing the bills as co-sponsors. This legislation comes as Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals seeks permits to mine titanium dioxide and zirconium near the swamp. The company's plan would bring mining operations within three miles of the largest wildlife refuge in the Eastern U.S. If passed, the bills could make a real difference for our natural world. They would help safeguard Okefenokee's unique ecosystem, protect water flows that prevent drought and fire risks, and preserve a beloved outdoor destination that attracts visitors worldwide. Recent positive developments have built momentum for protecting the swamp. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service expanded potential refuge boundaries by 22,000 acres, opening the door for future conservation. And in December, Okefenokee received an official nomination for prestigious UN World Heritage Site status. Swamps and wetlands are two ecosystems that are among the most threatened by our planet's changing climate. In Louisiana, sea rise is threatening wetlands and swamps across the state. "It's great to see the legislature speaking out once again for the swamp in such an overwhelmingly bipartisan way," said Josh Marks, an Atlanta-based attorney who heads up Georgians for Okefenokee. Rena Ann Peck, executive director of Georgia Rivers, sees the moratorium bill as a practical step forward. "While the Okefenokee Act will not get a run, this moratorium horse has legs," she said. With 77 cosponsors already supporting the moratorium, Peck added: "It's certainly a concession in that it's not a ban on mining Trail Ridge in perpetuity — only for 5 years." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Okefenokee mining protection bills do not advance House
ATLANTA (WSAV) — Two bills proposed to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from mining did not advance through the House Thursday. The bills were aimed at Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals' plan to strip mine for titanium dioxide, staurolite and zircon around three miles from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge's Trail Ridge. The Trail Ridge is 'the ancient sand dune that serves as an earthen dam for the swamp,' GRN said, and is essential for hydrology in the Okefenokee and surrounding areas like the St. Mary River. House Bill 561 would have prohibited future mining along the Okefenokee's Trail Ridge, a GRN spokesperson said. If passed, it would've prohibited the director of the EPD 'from issuing, modifying, or renewing any permit or accepting any bond to conduct surface mining operations on Trail Ridge for future permit applications and amendments,' the bill said. The second bill, HB 562, would've place a five-year moratorium, or hold, on mining along the Okefenokee's Trail Ridge. GRN said that this hold would've provide state regulators and independent scientists time to evaluate how mining at the Twin Pines site could impact groundwater levels under and near the swamp. The five-year timeline would've aligned with the Twin Pines demo mine duration, which includes four years of active mining plus one year groundwater recovery monitoring. The Okefenokee mining bills were sponsored by several Republicans in Georgia's coastal areas, including Thomasville's Darlene Taylor, Savannah's Ron Stephens and St. Mary's Rep. Steven Sainz. Gerald Greene (R) of Cuthbert, Debbie Buckner (D) of Junction City and Carolyn Hugley (D) of Columbus also sponsored the bills. Proposals that didn't pass Thursday could still be brought up again later, but it can be more difficult to advance them. They could also be considered next year since this 2025 is the first year of a two-year session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
