A new effort in Northwest Arkansas offering $10,000 incentives to new residents is part of an increasing number of philanthropy-financed projects trying to spark economic development, promote civic and cultural life, attract skilled workers, and offset declining or sparse populations.
Remote workers are especially attractive because they tend to have high disposable incomes.
They also are a lot less costly for cities and towns to attract, given the demands that companies make when they are pondering a relocation.
Companies often want guarantees of skilled workers, tax abatements, or other government subsidies.
