Remote worker incentives: Cities offer up to $20,000

Cumberland, Maryland, will pay $20,000 to each of ten new residents who relocate to the city. The pilot program, named Choose Cumberland, splits the payment into two parts. Recipients receive $10,000 in cash for moving expenses. They also receive $10,000 for a down payment or approved home renovations.

The city is trying to reverse a long-term population drop. The population fell from over 40,000 to fewer than 19,000 after major manufacturing employers closed starting in the 1970s. Mayor Ray Morriss noted the previous population level. He wants to attract people who bring their jobs with them. Recipients must make Cumberland their primary residence for at least five years.

Tulsa, Oklahoma, operates one of the largest similar programs in the country. Tulsa Remote pays workers $10,000 to move to the city and rent or buy a home. The program began before the pandemic to diversify a workforce that relies heavily on oil and gas. Justin Harlan, the managing director of Tulsa Remote, said the goal was to experiment with workforce diversity.

Participation in the Tulsa program has grown substantially. The number of participants rose from about 70 in 2019 to more than 3,500. The program only requires a one-year residency. Harlan says the retention rate beyond that requirement is 90 percent. Seventy-five percent of participants who joined since 2019 still live in Tulsa. The team meets with each individual in their first 90 days to help them integrate.

Faith Langevin moved from Atlanta to Tulsa in 2022. She cited the lower cost of living and the financial incentive as reasons for the move. Her husband also works remotely and received a separate payment. She described the social component as a key factor in her decision. When asked about regrets three years later, she said the city is really home.

Evan Starr, an associate professor at the University of Maryland, studied the Tulsa Remote program. He wanted to learn what other localities could benefit from an early mover in this market. He found the program's retention rate to be a positive indicator. He warned against people coming only for the money and leaving when restrictions end. He believes remote work has opened up a new level of geographic mobility because workers are no longer tied to their employer's location.

Gino Giatras has lived in Cumberland for a long time. His family has operated a hot dog shop there since 1918. He welcomes the new neighbors. He cited the people, weather, and activities as reasons to stay.

The website Make My Move lists more than 100 places advertising cash offers to attract potential new residents. These programs represent a competitive shift in how communities recruit remote professionals.