MakeMyMove helping to drive population growth, remote workers to Indiana
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis-based MakeMyMove is growing across the state and seeing success when it comes to attracting remote workers.
Nearly 50 cities and towns across the Hoosier state, from Tipton to Terre Haute, have signed up with the online platform to offer incentives designed to bring out-of-state remote workers to the Hoosier State.
“It’s a war for talent. Right now, states across the country are going on the offensive and starting to attract them, and Indiana is really a leader in this. We’ve attracted over 700 households so far, and we do expect those people to stay long-term,” MakeMyMove co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Evan Hock said in an interview with Inside INdiana Business host Gerry Dick.
Last year, Noblesville received the third highest number of applications—more than 4,500. In addition to a $5,000 relocation grant, the city’s MakeMyMove incentive package includes several memberships and passes to places across the city.
Mayor Chris Jensen tells Inside INdiana Business while there is a financial incentive, the city is focusing on showcasing the community and getting new residents integrated.
“We don’t want you just to occupy space in what we consider America’s hometown, Noblesville; we want you to be a thriving, engaged citizen,” Jensen said. “For example, we have a chamber of commerce membership [and] concert tickets at the number one ranked outdoor amphitheater in the world, Ruoff Music Center.”
Ragen Dodson moved to central Indiana from Atlanta because of MakeMyMove. She tells IIB she’s found a more qualified sense of community and sees the area’s growth.
“Indianapolis has been very surprising. I really like the vibrance of the downtown area; I think it’s really up and coming,” Dodson said. “We spend lots of money on Mass Ave…we want to go to local businesses and go out on the scene, and that’s going to help the local economy here in Indianapolis.”
Earlier this month, MakeMyMove announced a partnership with the Indy Chamber and Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA), with support from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC).
The goal is to recruit 50 new households by the end of May to any of the CIRDA counties: Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks, Boone, Madison, Brown and Putnam. Incentives for movers include up to $5,000 in Indianapolis music and sports experiences, as well as co-working and networking perks from the 16 Tech Innovation District in downtown Indy.
“We’re already 10% there, because central Indiana is such a great place to live, and the people is the big draw,” Hock said. “We’re looking for remote workers that make at least $50,000 or more and are moving from out of the region and want to stay here for at least a year.”
The IEDC is also supporting Plainfield, Avon and Noblesville with their efforts to recruit remote workers.
“I think a community is only going to be successful if it continues to grow and thrive and somewhat reinvent, but [while also attracting] varying demographics to our community [and] different industries to our community,” Jensen said. “MakeMyMove is certainly helping us do that.”