Tulsa and Cumberland pay remote workers to move

American cities are increasingly treating remote workers as a target market for economic growth.

More than 100 communities currently advertise cash offers to entice employees who can work from anywhere. The programs range from small pilot initiatives to established national brands.

Tulsa, Oklahoma, operates the largest such program. Launched before the pandemic, Tulsa Remote pays $10,000 to individuals who move to the city to rent or buy a home. The initiative has expanded from approximately 70 participants in 2019 to more than 3,500 residents. Justin Harlan, the program’s managing director, stated that the effort began as an experiment to diversify a workforce heavily dependent on the oil and gas industries.

Participants are required to live in Tulsa for one year. Harlan reports that the program retains 90% of those individuals after that initial period. Since 2019, 75% of all participants still reside in the city. The program staff meets with each new resident within their first 90 days to help them integrate into the local community.

Cumberland, Maryland, has recently joined this trend. The city launched a pilot program called Choose Cumberland to offer $20,000 to up to 10 new residents. The package includes $10,000 in cash and $10,000 for a down payment or approved home renovations. Recipients must designate Cumberland as their primary residence for at least five years. Mayor Ray Morriss noted that the city’s population fell from over 40,000 to fewer than 19,000 following the closure of major manufacturing employers starting in the 1970s. He said the city aims to attract workers who bring their jobs with them.

Faith Langevin moved from Atlanta to Tulsa in 2022. She cited the lower cost of living and the financial incentive as primary reasons for the move. Her husband, also a remote worker, received the same payment. Langevin said the social component of the program helped her feel at home. When asked if she had any regrets three years later, she said absolutely not.

Evan Starr, an associate professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Business, studied the Tulsa program to understand the long-term effects of these incentives. He found the retention rates to be a key factor in the program’s success. Starr warned that cities do not want residents who arrive solely for the money and leave once the residency restrictions end. He believes remote work has created a new level of geographic mobility, freeing employees from being tied to their employer’s location.

Local businesses in affected areas are adapting to the influx of new neighbors. Gino Giatras, whose family has operated a hot dog shop in Cumberland since 1918, said he welcomes the change. He cited the people, weather, and activities as reasons for his positive outlook.