Small town in a red state will pay you up to ,000 to move there

Small town in a red state will pay you up to $35,000 to move there

A small Kansas town is offering up to $35,000, tax waivers and quirky incentives to encourage people to move to their rural community.

Neodesha, which lies roughly two hours from both Kansas City and Wichita, is a charming town home to a little more than 2,300 people and it’s now looking to grow.

‘People who are ready to get out of the city, and come to a small town and live a simple life, and to be involved in something – there’s so much more than just going to work everyday and just going home,’ Mayor Devin Johnson told News Nation Now.

‘There’s so much more happening in these rural communities than people realize.’

Similar to many small communities across the country, the hidden gem lying in southeast Kansas has experienced a population decline and an aging housing district for years, despite its excellent education opportunities and small-town charm.

These factors combined led to the town being labeled as a ‘brain drain’ – a term used to describe an influx of young, native residents leaving their hometowns in search for other jobs as they pack their bags to pursue new opportunities elsewhere.

Phil Griffith and Ben Cutler, two native residents who have both made names for themselves in the finance world, wanted to change that title and bring more life to their beloved hometown.

Both men are now working with city leaders as they collaborate with the company MakeMyMove – the nation’s first and only online relocation marketplace – with hopes to entice remote workers to relocate to the plains through alluring incentive packages.

The small Kansas town of Neodesha is offering tempting incentives reaching up to $35,000 for people who work remotely to move there in an attempt to bring people back to rural communities

The Midwestern town, which lies roughly two hours from both Kansas City and Wichita, is a charming community home to a little more than 2,300 people

The Midwestern town, which lies roughly two hours from both Kansas City and Wichita, is a charming community home to a little more than 2,300 people

Similar to many small communities across the country, the hidden gem lying in southeast Kansas have experienced a population decline and an aging housing district for years, despite its excellent education opportunities and small-town charm

Similar to many small communities across the country, the hidden gem lying in southeast Kansas have experienced a population decline and an aging housing district for years, despite its excellent education opportunities and small-town charm

Neodesha lies roughly two hours from both Kansas City and Wichita

Neodesha lies roughly two hours from both Kansas City and Wichita

Neodesha Mayor Devin Johnson told The Kansas City Star: 'It's more of a, let's stop the brain drain of these rural communities that you've seen for so long. I feel like we have plugged the hole, and now we're trying to fill it back up'

Neodesha Mayor Devin Johnson told The Kansas City Star: ‘It’s more of a, let’s stop the brain drain of these rural communities that you’ve seen for so long. I feel like we have plugged the hole, and now we’re trying to fill it back up’

‘It’s more of a, let’s stop the brain drain of these rural communities that you’ve seen for so long,’ Johnson told The Kansas City Star.

‘I feel like we have plugged the hole, and now we’re trying to fill it back up.’ 

The relocation package includes up to $15,000 in student loan repayment assistance as well as an 100 percent Kansas state income tax waiver through 2026. 

New residents can also receive a collage scholarship incentive up to $25,000 through the Neodesha Promise scholarship program.

The program has also awarded several grants to the town as a way to assist with infrastructure and help the ‘safe routes to school’ side walk project developed to improve the quality of life.

Since the charming tree-lined town is considered a ‘promise community’, scholarships are also provided to any qualifying Neodesha high school graduate who attends a Pell Grant approved college.

Newcomers to the quaint suburb can obtain a one-year family pass to the Neodesha splash zone – an aquatic center featuring a pool, tumble buckets, toddler slides, a diving area, an open flume waterslide and water spray activities. 

A six-month subscription to the town’s local newspaper, along with a USD 461 school activities pass and two tickets to the Neodesha Chamber of Commerce’s annual auction and dinner are just a few of the other town’s appetizing offers.

The relocation package includes up to $15,000 in student loan repayment assistance, 100 percent Kansas state income tax waiver through 2026 and a collage scholarship incentive up to $25,000 through the Neodesha Promise scholarship program

The relocation package includes up to $15,000 in student loan repayment assistance, 100 percent Kansas state income tax waiver through 2026 and a collage scholarship incentive up to $25,000 through the Neodesha Promise scholarship program

Newcomers to the quaint suburb can obtain a one-year family pass to the Neodesha splash zone which usually goes for $125

Newcomers to the quaint suburb can obtain a one-year family pass to the Neodesha splash zone which usually goes for $125

A six-month subscription to the town's local newspaper and two tickets to the Neodesha Chamber of Commerce's annual auction and dinner are just a few of the other town's appetizing offers

A six-month subscription to the town’s local newspaper and two tickets to the Neodesha Chamber of Commerce’s annual auction and dinner are just a few of the other town’s appetizing offers

‘We’ve always said that… we don’t really have to provide every single thing that you can find in the city, but we need to be able to provide something that you can find in the city – something that will make people want to live here,’ Johnson added.

Both Griffith and Cutler have undertaken efforts to further develop the small town through the construction of additional housing, apartments and duplexes. 

Plans to restore historic buildings along Main Street and create a retail and entertainment district to attract remote workers is also underway.

The vacant 1886 Brown Hotel, which is listed as a historical marker under architecture, industry and commerce, is just one building with massive renovations in the works, KCTV 5 News reported.

The plan? Turning it into The Brown: Boarding House and Supper Club – a new Griffith Culinary institute that will provide culinary training for young residents interested in careers in the kitchen.

The concepts for the interior of the project include a high-end steakhouse, 17 boutique living units, private office spaces, a cocktail lounge, event space and a wine tasting room, according to a Facebook post shared by the design company. 

Johnson said that a majority of these incentives will be paid for by the Wilson County Medical Center, the Promise Fund and the USD 461, according to a local town paper.

‘It’s been a busy and productive year, but we are just getting started!’ Johnson wrote on a post shared to Facebook.

City leaders and developers have collaborated with the company MakeMyMove - the nation's first and only online relocation marketplace - with hopes to entice remote workers to relocate to the plains through alluring incentive packages

City leaders and developers have collaborated with the company MakeMyMove – the nation’s first and only online relocation marketplace – with hopes to entice remote workers to relocate to the plains through alluring incentive packages

The Neodesha splash zone is an aquatic center that offers a pool, tumble buckets, toddler slides, a diving area, an open flume waterslide and water spray activities to its members

The Neodesha splash zone is an aquatic center that offers a pool, tumble buckets, toddler slides, a diving area, an open flume waterslide and water spray activities to its members

Neodesha is considered a vibrant town filled with beautiful parks and affordable housing, with the median home value falling at $86,300 a month and $743 a month for rent

Neodesha is considered a vibrant town filled with beautiful parks and affordable housing, with the median home value falling at $86,300 a month and $743 a month for rent

The vacant 1886 Brown Hotel, which is listed as a historical marker under architecture, industry and commerce, is just one building with massive renovations in the works

The vacant 1886 Brown Hotel, which is listed as a historical marker under architecture, industry and commerce, is just one building with massive renovations in the works

The town plans to turn the vacant hotel into The Brown: Boarding House and Supper Club - a high-end steakhouse and a new Griffith Culinary institute that will provide culinary training for young residents interested in careers in the kitchen

The town plans to turn the vacant hotel into The Brown: Boarding House and Supper Club – a high-end steakhouse and a new Griffith Culinary institute that will provide culinary training for young residents interested in careers in the kitchen

‘We are gearing up for another year of continued growth and a new investment in our community,’ he added along with the hashtag Small Town Big Promise.

Applicants of the incentive package must work remotely and make at least $50,000 annually to qualify.

Neodesha, which means ‘meeting of the waters,’ is tucked at the meeting point of the Verdigris and Fall Rivers.

It is considered a vibrant town filled with beautiful parks and affordable housing, with the median home value falling at $86,300 a month and $743 a month for rent.

The midwestern town also hosts year-round community events, such as a Christmas parade, a Christmas art exhibit, an annual night out celebration, festivals and other parades along Main Street.

Its claim to fame is a 65-foot derrick, which supplied the first commercial oil well west of the Mississippi River in a move considered a ‘breakthrough’ for all concerned. In 1879, the first successful railroad was built through the community.

Despite its promise, the city has had some troubles in its past – specifically with contaminated ground water spreading through residential areas from a 320-acre refinery site which operated until about 1970.

However, Johnson said that there is no threat of contamination today as its still being monitored by BP Products North America.

The town's claim to fame is a 65-foot derrick, which supplied the first commercial oil well west of the Mississippi River in a move considered a 'breakthrough' for all concerned

The town’s claim to fame is a 65-foot derrick, which supplied the first commercial oil well west of the Mississippi River in a move considered a ‘breakthrough’ for all concerned

Those who make Neodesha their new home will get a lunch with the Community Development Director, City Administrator and Mayor, a tour of historical downtown and a welcome bag featuring gifts from local businesses

Those who make Neodesha their new home will get a lunch with the Community Development Director, City Administrator and Mayor, a tour of historical downtown and a welcome bag featuring gifts from local businesses

A USD 461 school activities pass is also included in the incentive package. Pictured: Mayor Devin Johnson attending a USD 461 school activity session with his wife, Erica, and their kids

A USD 461 school activities pass is also included in the incentive package. Pictured: Mayor Devin Johnson attending a USD 461 school activity session with his wife, Erica, and their kids

Neodesha, which means 'meeting of the waters,' is tucked at the meeting point of the Verdigris and Fall Rivers and offers dozens of stunning parks which have become a focal point of the incentive program

Neodesha, which means ‘meeting of the waters,’ is tucked at the meeting point of the Verdigris and Fall Rivers and offers dozens of stunning parks which have become a focal point of the incentive program

‘BP continues to monitor to ensure there’s no contamination affecting the community,’ Johnson told The Kansas City Star. 

‘They have an office here and that was what they were required to do by the court – ensure the safety of the town and that there’s no contamination spread.’ 

In the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s most recent update from 2017, there were no significant effects in the Fall River – the city’s water source. 

Chris Bauman, the city’s community development director, has said that Neodesha has seen relocation interest from several states – New Mexico, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota and Texas. 

Johnson, who grew up in Neodesha, told The Kansas City Star that the small town life has indeed changed since he was a kid as it continues to grow.

‘My neighbors across the street and the cul de sac I live in, they moved here from Denver, Colorado, and they’re retired,’ Johnson said.

‘They looked at homes in all the surrounding communities… and they said, “This is where we want to be,'” he added. ‘You see that all the time.’

More than 66,000 people have visited the website as of last week, Johnson told News Nation Now. In total, the incentive program has received 73 applicants – 28 of whom meet the criteria to move forward in the process.

‘Really, the program as a whole – we’re really excited with the early results that we’re seeing,’ he said.

Johnson also revealed that his beloved town could have its first mover arriving soon – a woman from Kentucky who was welcomed with open arms. 

Johnson’s wife, Erica, along with dozens of others, have taken to Facebook to applaud the ‘remarkable growth and expansion’ of the town, calling it ‘a testament to the unwavering dedication of our city’s leadership, the hard work of our residents and the steadfast community support that has been years in the making.’

Plans to restore historic buildings along Main Street and create a retail and entertainment district to attract remote workers is also underway

Plans to restore historic buildings along Main Street and create a retail and entertainment district to attract remote workers is also underway

The midwestern town also hosts year-round community events, such as a Christmas parade, a Christmas art exhibit, an annual night out celebration, festivals and other parades along Main Street

The midwestern town also hosts year-round community events, such as a Christmas parade, a Christmas art exhibit, an annual night out celebration, festivals and other parades along Main Street

Johnson said that a majority of these incentives will be paid for by the Wilson County Medical Center, the Promise Fund and the USD 461

Johnson said that a majority of these incentives will be paid for by the Wilson County Medical Center, the Promise Fund and the USD 461

Erica shared the heartfelt post last week, congratulating Johnson for what he has done for Neodesha.

‘Devin has poured countless hours into initiatives that have paved the way for the City of Neodesha, Kansas’s prosperity,’ she wrote. 

‘His commitment to fostering economic development and enhancing the quality of life for all citizens is truly inspiring.’

‘Together, we have shown that with vision, collaboration and perseverance, a rural community can thrive and achieve greatness.’ 

Other incentives in the package include a one-year family membership to Get Fit Wellness Center and two tickets to the Booster Club’s Annual Booster Bash.

Those who make Neodesha their new home will get a lunch with the Community Development Director, City Administrator and Mayor, a tour of historical downtown and a welcome bag featuring gifts from local businesses. 

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