Vermont to Pay People to Relocate

Vermont’s workforce is aging, and many of its new residents are also older, says Joan Goldstein, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development. To attract younger residents, the state recently started a new program called the Remote Worker Grant Program. It will provide up to $10,000 over two years to cover moving expenses as well as computer and co-working space costs to residents who work remotely for an employer located outside of the state.

"When people think about relocating, there are so many elements to that — not just relocating their home, but also then having to find a job," says Goldstein. "This idea would be that they could move to the state but keep their current job."

Goldstein says in the past current residents would have been most worried about an influx of new residents resulting in overcrowding and the state losing its character. However, she says now the concerns are focused more on the state not having enough people to fill schools and available jobs.