Communities across the U.S. are beginning to attract remote workers, their families, and the economic value their residency brings by offering them cash incentives to move.

MakeMyMove.com is a new venture created to help workers use their power with the communities that want them. It’s powered by TMap, a talent recruitment startup co-founded by Bill Oesterle, creator of Angie’s List.

“Remote workers are already exercising their new mobility, migrating away from unlivable cities on the coasts. What they’ve yet to fully realize is the economic power that comes with that mobility,” Oesterle said. “For decades, cities large and small have offered companies relocation incentives because they bring investment and people with them as they move or grow.”

Bill Oesterle

“Decoupled from the traditional office, American workers are in control of their own geographies in a way they never have been before. Their educations and incomes make them highly-desirable residents for any community that understands the importance of talent attraction as the engine for economic growth. The places that get it are offering incentives directly to the workers. The companies aren’t in control anymore: the workers are,” he said.

Communities offering cash, free land, free travel – even sandwiches and bicycles – have attracted attention for their quirky offers, but Hock says remote workers shouldn’t just be amused by the fun offers: they should take advantage.

“New residents are worth tens of thousands of dollars to local economies. We built this marketplace so communities could compete for new residents, and we expect that competition to drive value to the worker.” Hock adds, “These relocation packages for remote workers aren’t a tough sell to the communities that understand talent attraction is the engine for economic growth. It’s just math.”