The Heartland's Remote Job Boom: Paying Knowledge Workers to Relocate
Tulsa Remote, a program designed to attract remote workers to Tulsa, Oklahoma, by providing a $10,000 financial incentive, has been successful in revitalizing the local economy. The program has received a surge in applications during the pandemic, with 60,000 applications this year compared to 10,000 in its first year in 2019. The average age of participants is 34, with an average salary above $100,000. An economic impact analysis found that the program has generated millions in new local earnings and brought hundreds of new jobs to Tulsa. The program's community-building approach has also contributed to its success, with a high retention rate of 76% among participants who completed their program year.