Latest news with #economicDevelopment
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
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clark County breaks ground on Southwest Arkansas Mega Site, hoping to attract industry
CLARK COUNTY, Ark. – A new mega site development project to make the area more attractive for potential business projects is underway in Clark County. The Southwest Arkansas Mega Site is located right outside of Arkadelphia in Gum Springs near the Clark County Industrial Park. Port of Little Rock slated for $1 billion, 400-acre data center Shelley Short is the CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County. 'It's about having the infrastructure in place, it's about having ready-to-go land,' Short said. The area is being developed so businesses considering locating in the county will have prepared land to use, for example, for factory construction. 'Part of the economic development process is getting your product ready for an industry to locate, and so while there may not be jobs associated with today's announcement, immediate jobs, it's all about getting a site ready so that industries that are looking can see its potential and value.' Short said. Short said the nearly 1,000-acre property will undergo site certification and erosion control to make it more marketable to companies. 'They want a ready-to-go, shovel-ready site so that they are able to get from spending money to making money, from not having product to making product as quickly as possible,' Short said. The $2.4 million project is funded through a $1 million site development grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and $1.4 million from the Clark County Economic Development Fund. Clint O'Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, said Clark County is one of the inaugural grant recipients. 'So an opportunity for communities to better develop their industrial sites to make them more attractive,' O'Neal said. 'When prospects go around looking at the best sites, we want them to find sites that have due diligence, have infrastructure.' Entergy, Port of Little Rock announce 'shovel ready' 875-acre industrial megasite He added that attracting business requires having available real estate. 'Whether it's vacant industrial buildings like the one that Hostess took down the road, or great industrial sites like the Southwest Mega Site,' O'Neal said. Short said the community is a driving force behind the project and believes in economic development. 'They believe that while we may not see the results for a year or two years or five years down the line, that it's worth investing in,' she said. The site should be ready to go in about six months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kearney gets Nebraska's final ‘good life district' designation, eyes development around SportsPlex
The good life district designation in Kearney is to be located on 200 acres of vacant land surrounding the city's SportsPlex facility, shown here. The district is to include retail, restaurant, and destination attractions led by a private developer. The SportsPlex is a complex offering 209,000 square feet of indoor, multi-use athletic amenities. (Courtesy of the City of Kearney) LINCOLN — Nebraska's fifth and final 'good life district' designation goes to the City of Kearney, city leaders announced on Monday. Kearney joins four other geographical areas designated as good life districts by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development in or around the cities of Omaha, Gretna, Bellevue and Grand Island. Applicants from Kearney and Papillion had been competing for the fifth and final designation allowed under the Good Life Transformational Projects Act of 2023. Such districts were established under the law, which has been revised in the past two regular legislative sessions, as a tool to help create unique tourist-oriented campuses expected to generate jobs and economic activity. Under the law, the state gives up half of the state sales tax generated within the boundaries of a good life district for up to 30 years, and that revenue is steered toward eligible costs of developing the district. Leveraging those state sales dollars would allow the community to attract 'large-scale development projects' that will boost economic activity and enhance Kearney, the city's statement said. Such districts in the long run are expected to be a boon to the state in the form of increased tax revenue, tourism dollars and growth. Kearney voters will be asked for approval. According to the city website, the City Council is to schedule an election to ask Kearney voters to authorize a good life district economic development program. If approved, that program shapes how the district functions. The statement did not identify or describe a specific 'large-scale development' project. But it said the Kearney Good Life District would cover 200 acres of vacant land surrounding the city's SportsPlex and is to include retail, restaurant and destination attractions led by a private developer. 'Kearney has long been a hub of progress and opportunity, and receiving this final good life district designation reinforces our community's role as a leader in Nebraska's future,' Mayor Jonathan Nikkila said. 'We look forward to leveraging these resources to drive growth, create jobs and enhance the vibrant quality of life that makes Kearney unique.' The city website says the designation should accelerate development around Interstate 80 and the SportsPlex and increase visits to Kearney. City leaders said they would work with state officials and local business leaders to ensure the benefits extend to all residents and contribute to the prosperity of Kearney and Nebraska. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brokenhead Ojibway creates new reserve on outskirts of Winnipeg
Brokenhead Ojibway Nation is expanding its reserve land just outside Winnipeg city limits, in a move the First Nation says will help advance its economic development and self-determination. Almost 25 hectares (60 acres) of land in the rural municipality of East St. Paul, just northeast of Winnipeg, have been added to the First Nation's jurisdiction, its leadership announced Friday. Brokenhead Chief Gordon Bluesky said the Treaty 1 signatory has been negotiating with the federal government for nearly 20 years to create the new reserve, and that the announcement has been a long time coming. "We're trying to fulfil our treaty land entitlement, which is an outstanding obligation from 1871. Our people were promised these lands in 1871," Bluesky said. "We've worked long and hard, and I acknowledge my ancestors for having that foresight in terms of having these opportunities available to us. And I'm just here to carry the ball over the finish line." 'We have lots of ideas' Bluesky said the plot — east of Highway 59 and south of the Perimeter Highway — was purchased in 2009 as part of a larger purchase of over 194 hectares of land in the rural municipality. It's near Na-Sha-Ke-Penais, the three-hectare reserve the First Nation established on land it purchased in East St. Paul around 2002. A news release said the reserve land — primarily agricultural — will be used for traditional uses, including hunting and trapping. Bluesky said the First Nation is also eyeing further economic development. "We have a lot of ideas," he said. "A lot of that is centrally focused on us getting services here to this site. But essentially, we're looking at some mixed residential, some commercial, some retail." The chief said the area could become a suburb of Winnipeg eventually as the city grows, but there's a lot of infrastructure required before shovels go into the ground. A 'historic milestone' Federal Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand said there's a lot of bridge-building the federal government must do with First Nations communities. "There's still 10 communities here in Manitoba that are looking to advance their treaty land entitlements," she said. "These are communities that we definitely want to support." Chris Henderson leads the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee of Manitoba, and helps First Nations get land promised by the Crown. He said the announcement is part of a historic process toward recognizing First Nations' inherent right to govern their land. "These three parcels that were set aside earlier this year, they now fall under the inventory and the jurisdiction of Brokenhead to do with as they please. They don't need anybody's permission," he said. "That is a historic milestone."
CBC
05-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Brokenhead Ojibway creates new reserve on outskirts of Winnipeg
Brokenhead Ojibway Nation is expanding its reserve land just outside Winnipeg city limits, in a move the First Nation says will help advance its economic development and self-determination. Almost 25 hectares (60 acres) of land in the rural municipality of East St. Paul, just northeast of Winnipeg, have been added to the First Nation's jurisdiction, its leadership announced Friday. Brokenhead Chief Gordon Bluesky said the Treaty 1 signatory has been negotiating with the federal government for nearly 20 years to create the new reserve, and that the announcement has been a long time coming. "We're trying to fulfil our treaty land entitlement, which is an outstanding obligation from 1871. Our people were promised these lands in 1871," Bluesky said. "We've worked long and hard, and I acknowledge my ancestors for having that foresight in terms of having these opportunities available to us. And I'm just here to carry the ball over the finish line." 'We have lots of ideas' Bluesky said the plot — east of Highway 59 and south of the Perimeter Highway — was purchased in 2009 as part of a larger purchase of over 194 hectares of land in the rural municipality. It's near Na-Sha-Ke-Penais, the three-hectare reserve the First Nation established on land it purchased in East St. Paul around 2002. A news release said the reserve land — primarily agricultural — will be used for traditional uses, including hunting and trapping. Bluesky said the First Nation is also eyeing further economic development. "We have a lot of ideas," he said. "A lot of that is centrally focused on us getting services here to this site. But essentially, we're looking at some mixed residential, some commercial, some retail." The chief said the area could become a suburb of Winnipeg eventually as the city grows, but there's a lot of infrastructure required before shovels go into the ground. A 'historic milestone' Federal Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand said there's a lot of bridge-building the federal government must do with First Nations communities. "There's still 10 communities here in Manitoba that are looking to advance their treaty land entitlements," she said. "These are communities that we definitely want to support." Chris Henderson leads the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee of Manitoba, and helps First Nations get land promised by the Crown. He said the announcement is part of a historic process toward recognizing First Nations' inherent right to govern their land. "These three parcels that were set aside earlier this year, they now fall under the inventory and the jurisdiction of Brokenhead to do with as they please. They don't need anybody's permission," he said. "That is a historic milestone."
