How To Attract Remote Workers to Your Community

How To Attract Remote Workers to Your Community Main Photo

22 Feb 2021


News, Marketing, Workforce

You know you need remote workers, now let's talk about how to attract remote workers to your community. Remote workers bring an abundance of advantages to a local workforce, from growing the tax base to diversifying the labor pool. As remote work continues to grow, more communities will benefit from adding remote workers to their local workforce.

Ways to Attract Remote Workers to Your Community

Remote Work is the New Norm

  • Nearly two-thirds of U.S. workers who have been working remotely during the pandemic want to continue to work from home, according to a Gallup Poll.
  • Between April and May 2020, the number of remote workers in the U.S. doubled, Gallup reports. These numbers have the potential to remain elevated for the foreseeable future.
  • 55% of managers of remote workers say they'll continue to allow their employees to work remotely more frequently than they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (Gallup).
  • U.S. remote workdays have doubled during the pandemic (Gallup).

Focus on Incentives

#1 Relocation Assistance

Many communities are offering relocation assistance to remote workers. Relocation assistance may help with the cost of renting a moving truck, reimburse gas or car rental expenses or provide a stipend to help with the costs of renting or buying.

Georgia is one state that is offering remote tech workers moving cost reimbursement of up to $2,000.

#2 Cash Incentives

Tulsa, Oklahoma is offering a $10,000 cash incentive through their Tulsa Remote website, as well as a monthly stipend potentially. Many other communities are also offering incentives like this that include cash as well as free workspace and access to exclusive perks and events.

#3 Tax Abatements and Down Payment Assistance

Tax abatements reduce or eliminate property taxes on new construction and/or home improvements. Down payment assistance programs help homebuyers afford upfront costs.

Many communities like Harmony, MN and Topeka, KS are offering digital nomads and remote workers a cash rebate for building a new home.

#4 Student Debt Assistance

Some communities offer remote workers assistance with student loans and/or credit toward training programs required for remote work or they highlight businesses in their city/state who offer student loan debt assistance.

#5 Free or Discounted Child Care for Remote Workers

Some states, like New Mexico, are extending child care aid to remote workers choosing to relocate. Programs like this provide remote workers with free or significantly cost-reduced child care services.

Revamp Your Website

It's imperative that economic developers reevaluate target audiences and adjust their websites accordingly. If remote workers are a part of the workforce attraction strategy, the website should be revamped with features that attract remote workers. Golden Shovel Agency websites are planned to include Search Engine Optimization (SEO), GIS Planning, PlaceVR technology, social media integration, and a user-friendly interface that will get the job done.

Schedule a Consultation Today

We can help you strategize and grow your remote workforce. To learn more about how to attract remote workers to your community with the latest tools and tech available, contact us today.

Download "Rethinking Workforce Attraction in the Age of Remote Work