Small Cities Win Big
Recently, One America Works collected survey data on over 1,000 tech workers to identify insights and trends into how and where Americans are working.
Smaller Cities Win Big with Minimal Losses from Large Cities:
- Smaller city centers are on the rise and primed to undergo the largest share of proportional growth, growing by 8% during the pandemic and likely to grow up to 20% post-pandemic
- This anticipated growth is driven 43% from major city centers, 17% from major city suburbs, 30% from smaller city suburbs, and 11% from exurban or rural locations.
- Major city centers experienced a net 5% long-term decline in tech worker residence during the pandemic
Remote work is setting the stage for a redistribution of wealth away from the hands of a few select cities. Instead, it is going toward smaller towns and suburbs that were traditionally left out of the wealth produced in America’s greatest economies. Now, more than ever, smaller to mid-sized American cities and other growing tech hubs have an opportunity to win. The places that manage to attract and retain the outgoing software engineers, knowledge workers and other high-earning remote workers will realize major advantages in booming housing markets, growing tax bases and overall economies.
Inside this issue
- City Pitch Series on June 23: 3 Cities Compete for YOU
- Why Smaller Cities Are Poised to Grow Tech Talent Post-Pandemic
- Want to Move to Our Town? Here’s $10,000 and a Free Bike.
- Some of the Biggest Incentive Programs Across the Country
“What we call smaller kind of mid-size cities across the county, well those smaller mid-size cities are going to get a 20% lift in their tech workforce.” Whether moving had to due to high taxes, political turmoil, rising crime rates or unprecedented wildfires, many of California’s tech workforce found refuge elsewhere. And they have the opportunity to make a big impact on other cities. Read More
For regional economic development organizations, it’s an effort to build communities with high skill sets to attract start-ups and larger companies in the future. For the migrating workers, it’s a chance to try out an up-and-coming place alongside other newcomers. With offers of cash, housing and a budding talent pool, these smaller cities and states hope to get in on the ground floor of a new era for remote workers. Read More
Big Incentive Programs Across the Country
Tusla Remote
Tulsa Remote is a one-year program that offers a $10,000 cash grant to eligible remote workers who move to and work from Tulsa. The program also offers free desk space at a coworking location, a housing stipend on top of the monthly stipend, and a supportive community to help you connect with the town.
Remote Shoals
Remote Shoals is a program offering up to $10k for remote workers to move to- and work from- a region of northern Alabama known as “the Shoals.” The area is comprised of the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia.
Savannah Technology Workforce Incentive
A new Savannah incentive reimburses individual moving expenses up to $2,000 for qualified tech workers currently located outside of Chatham County. Applicants can be self-employed, remote workers of technology firms located elsewhere or relocating to take a position in the region.
Ascend West Virginia
Accepted applicants receive $12,000 for moving to one of three cities in West Virginia: Morgantown, Shepherdstown, or Lewisburg. A free year of outdoor recreation (including free outdoor gear rentals), access to free coworking spaces, and professional and social development opportunities round out the deal.
One America Works is
a non-profit building a vision of the future where high-growth technology companies find the talent they need to grow and succeed in cities across America. Want to know more? Reach out to us at hello@oneamericaworks.org.