Oklahoma has never seemed so exciting. As part of a new initiative, the city of Tulsa is offering $10,000 in grants and other benefits to those who move there and work remotely for a year. Tulsa Remote, funded by The George Kaiser Family Foundation, encourages those with full-time remote employment, or who are self-employed, to relocate to Tulsa to develop their business. Each $10,000 grant will be administered over the course of the year, with $2,500 for relocation expenses, followed by $500 monthly stipends, and a final $1,500 at the end of the 12-month period.
Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Tulsa Will Pay You $10,000 to Move There for a Year
Successful applicants will be able to live in brand new, furnished apartments in the Tulsa Arts District for a 33 percent discount with free utilities for the first three months. They will also be provided with a workspace at 36 Degrees North.
Ken Levit, Executive Director of GKFF, went as far as to tell Tulsa World that Tulsa’s future depends on this initiative. “We are in an exciting spot,” he said. “Our Arts District is flourishing. Developments like the Gathering Place and Mother Road Market are enticing. This is a way to give an extra incentive to bring in talented people.” Levit’s hope is that people will enjoy their year so much, they’ll decide to stay permanently. He says they want remote workers to be “the kind of folks who are really going to be committed to give that year everything they have and really have a sense that they’re giving Tulsa a good-faith try for a lot longer period of time.”
To be eligible for this program, participants must provide proof of employment, be 18 years old or more, and work for a business that is based outside of Tulsa County or be self-employed outside of Tulsa County. Applicants will undergo an online interview with a potential in-person interview, as well. The first group of remote workers will arrive this coming spring, and applications can be filled out here. 
H/T: Tulsa World