Arkansas Will Pay You $10,000 — And Throw in a Bike — If You Move There

This pay-to-relocate scheme is coming at the right time

fayetteville arkansas
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An initiative called Life Works Here is investing $1 million over the next six months to attract top talent to Arkansas, and a sizable portion of those funds will go directly to individuals who move in. For a limited time, the program, which is run by Finding Northwest Arkansas, is offering $10,000 a pop (plus a personal road or mountain bike) for anyone who moves into the region.

In the past, local officials have attempted pay-to-relocate gimmicks everywhere from Vermont to Sicily. But in the post-pandemic, WFH-era, this sort of plan — and its end goal, to build up an often overlooked community — might be poised for some success. According to a recent study, over 20 million Americans plan to move as a response to the new, remote work normal. Half of those people are looking for more affordable housing, in an area two hours away or more from their current locations. 

Arkansas might fit the bill. And specifically Northwest Arkansas, a metro area with four of the state’s 10 largest cities, including Fayetteville. The minds behind Life Works Here are hoping young professionals might be intrigued by the area’s low cost of living, growing nightlife scene, park developments, and numerous cultural institutions. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville features a rotation of exciting exhibitions.

Plus, the area is in the absolute middle of the Ozarks, the outdoor playground famous for its hiking trails, lake life, golf courses, and mountain towns. There’s a reason Arkansas’s nickname is the Natural State — and a reason the state’s throwing in a bike with its offer. Weekend warriors can enjoy 322 miles of world-class mountain biking, while those just looking to get out of the house can easily access 162 miles of paved trails, the 37-mile Razorback Regional Greenway.

To discover more about the opportunity, head here. In order to qualify, you should be at least 24-years-old, have two years or more of work experience and current full-time employment, currently reside outside Arkansas, and be able to relocate to Arkansas within six months of acceptance.

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