ATLANTA — Leaders in Columbus, Georgia, want to pay you over $7,000 to relocate to "The Fountain City," as part of their new economic development program.
The initiative aims to attract remote workers to move to Georgia's second-largest city.
“We saw an opportunity to promote our community to those who work remotely and can choose where they want to live,” Columbus 2025 Executive Director Tabetha Getz said.
Columbus 2025 is the first city in Georgia to partner with MakeMyMove, a program that aims to bring new residents to Columbus and encourage them to become active community members -- while boosting the city's economy.
As the national remote work trend continues, Getz believes other cities could soon adopt similar programs.
"It's an opportunity for Columbus to show all the great things we have about our city that no one knows about," she said. "Columbus has a lot to offer potential residents, including a vibrant downtown, world-class whitewater rafting, and a thriving arts and culture community."
Incentives of Columbus 2025
If chosen for the program, the incentive relocation package includes $5,000 cash per family, along with an additional $2,400 of "soft incentives" to help integrate new residents into the community.
It also includes:
- Six months of co-working space at CoWork Columbus
- Annual community connection outing: rafting, ziplining, and a mixer with locals
- Coffee with the mayor
- One-year membership to the Young Professionals Program
- One-year membership to Fetch Dog Park
- One-year family membership to Columbus Aquatics Center
- One-year membership to the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce
- Columbus Regional Tennis Association membership
- Two-night stay at the hotel to visit-- before you decide to call Columbus home.
Columbus 2025 remote work qualifications
- Employed full-time and able to relocate while retaining current position.
- Earn at least $75,000 annually from a single income source.
- Live at least 75 miles outside the city limits of Columbus at the time of application for the program.
- Must relocate primary residence to Muscogee County, GA, within six months.
Must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or otherwise legally allowed to live and work in the country.
How to apply Columbus 2025
- Create a MakeMyMove account
- Fill out the online application here
Columbus 2025 selection process
- After applying, an applicant's income will be verified through a secure payroll verification software.
- They will then receive a short questionnaire and must have a phone interview with the Columbus 2025 team.
- Individuals will also have to meet with the Columbus residents' committee, which will make the final selections of applicants.
For more information about the program and an in-depth look at the incentives, click here.