Cumberland Maryland Pays $20K to Relocate There

Cumberland, Maryland is offering $20,000 to remote workers willing to relocate there. This struggling city, once Maryland's second largest, hopes to revitalize its economy after losing major factories. It's part of a growing trend of places paying people to move in.

In the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, at the edge of Appalachia, lies Cumberland, Maryland - a city with a rich history and a hopeful future. Once known as the "Queen City" and Maryland's second-largest community, Cumberland has faced significant challenges in recent decades. But now, it's taking an innovative approach to revitalize its economy and attract new residents.

The story of Cumberland's decline is a familiar one in many parts of America. Over the years, the city's three largest factories closed within a five-year span, dealing a devastating blow to the local economy. As companies left town, so did the people. The population, which stood at nearly 40,000 in 1940, has since halved to less than 20,000.

But Cumberland isn't giving up. Mayor Ray Morris has announced an attention-grabbing offer: up to $20,000 for each of 10 people willing to move to the city. There's a catch, though - they're looking for remote workers who can bring their jobs with them.

This initiative isn't unique to Cumberland. It's part of a growing trend across America, with more than 70 places offering financial incentives for people to relocate in the past five years. The rise of remote work has made these programs increasingly viable.

University of Maryland Professor Evan Star, who studies such payment programs, explains the shift: "Before remote work, you had to recruit businesses that were expanding. It could be difficult. Now, with remote work, what you can do is try to attract workers directly."

One success story is Tulsa, Oklahoma's "Tulsa Remote" program. By offering $10,000 grants, they've attracted over 3,000 participants. The investment has paid off, raising an additional $11 million in new tax revenue that can be used for schools and other local amenities.

Back in Cumberland, longtime residents like Dave Caparelli, the fourth-generation owner of Cap's Bakery, are hopeful about the city's future. Cap's Bakery has been a Cumberland institution for 108 years, weathering the city's ups and downs. Caparelli remembers a time when Cumberland was a bustling town and believes it can be that way again.

The $20,000 incentive is a significant investment for a struggling city, but it's an amount that, as Mayor Morris puts it, "could make people's eyes open a little bit." The hope is that by attracting new residents, Cumberland can inject fresh energy and resources into its economy.

This strategy represents a new approach to economic development for small cities and towns. Instead of focusing solely on attracting businesses, they're now targeting individuals who can work from anywhere. It's a recognition of the changing nature of work in the 21st century and an attempt to leverage those changes for local benefit.

As Cumberland and other cities experiment with these relocation incentives, they're not just trying to boost their populations. They're hoping to create a ripple effect that will revitalize their communities, support local businesses, and ultimately restore the vibrancy that once defined these places.

For cities like Cumberland, the future may depend on their ability to adapt to the new realities of work and life in America. By offering a financial incentive to relocate, they're betting that a small investment now could lead to significant returns in the future. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off, but for now, it represents a beacon of hope for struggling communities across the country.