NJgreyhead

A piece at Bankrate.com about areas trying to lure remote-working new residents had this:
Northwestern Arkansas: Two counties offer $10,000 and a mountain bike to entice out-of-state workers to the corner of the state that includes Fayetteville and Bentonville.

I hear there is great mountain-biking in that Walmart-ish part of Arkansas. Makes sense, I guess.

https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/p...ure-residents/

shelbyfv

Appears they are looking for "top remote working talent." I guess they won't be offering me any incentives. It's a pretty interesting area, close to some nice fishing as well.

mstateglfr 

Newton IA, Natchez MS, Belize, and elsewhere- all are offering versions of a 'work remotely and come live here to get a cash incentive' program.

The specifics vary, but if a town/county can get someone to buy a house there and that area doesnt have to provide a job, its a win for the area since these programs are typically not in places with an abundance of high paying jobs. The town/region gets taxes property taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes, but doesnt need to actually have businesses near them.

NWA is a surprising place to have this program since its been growing like crazy for the last 15+ years. Compare that to Natchez or Newton where major companies have left in the last 15 years and population has either stalled or contracted.

Rage

I’m liking the idea.

indyfabz

ACA released new MTB route maps in Arkansas relatively recently. One is a loop out of Bentonville.

Arkansas High Country Route | Adventure Cycling Association

GrainBrain

Yeah Newton's kinda meh but NWA is frigging awesome.

NJgreyhead

A recent Outspoken Cyclist podcast had Diane Jenks interviewing a couple people paid to promote the Bentonville area as a cycling destination.

mstateglfr 

Newton is meh, but it has a fantastic smaller gravel race that benefits a local foodbank each October. 55mi and 105 mi categories with a lot of fun punchy climb and both categories route through the Buffalo preserve at the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge.
...thats my yearly single trip to Newton.

Litespud

great road cycling up there as well. Hilly AF, but beautiful country.

Hiro11

I've never been there, but I have numerous friends who go there frequently for mountain biking. From what I've heard, I would move there in a heartbeat if I could convince my employer to allow me to work remotely indefinitely. And I could convince my wife. And both of my kids were in college.

1. It's apparently a beautiful area. I love being outside, hiking, cycling etc.

2. Seems much less crowded and much less congested than where I live now outside of Chicago. I grew up in a relatively rural area and it's what I prefer.

3. Relatively low cost of living (again, compared to the Chicago area). Although real estate is surprisingly pricey for Arkansas, taxes are very low. If you're unaware, check out suburban Chicago property taxes some time. Absolutely highway robbery, God I hate this state.

4. Terrific mountain biking and road cycling with some of the best cycling infrastructure anywhere in the world. I believe the Waltons have spent over $70MM on cycling infrastructure in the area.

5. Pretty good local airport service for a small city. Centrally located in the country and you can get pretty much anywhere you need to go with one connection.

Flip Flop Rider

what's the catch?

indyfabz

6. All long-term residents are related.