Vermont paying $10,000 to move there and work from home
If you're planning to move out of the hustle and bustle of big cities into somewhere quiet and scenic, you might be in luck. Reportedly, Vermont Governor Phil Scott has ratified a law that will pay people $10,000 to move to Vermont and work remotely out of the state. The programme will come into effect from 1st January 2019. Here's more.
For all its beauty, Vermont has very few people
Vermont is located in Northeastern United States, sandwiched in between New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York. The state, which has gorgeous landscapes, great ski slopes, and even better maple syrup, is home to just 625,000 people.
Details of the Remote Worker Grant Programme
The Vermont government has already budgeted funds to support 100 grants each for the first three years of the programme, dubbed the Remote Worker Grant Programme. Following the completion of the third year, the programme will give grants for 20 additional workers per year. Grants will be distributed on first-come, first-served basis, and recipients will receive $10,000 over two years.
Why expanding the workforce is so important for Vermont
"We have about 16,000 fewer workers than we did in 2009. That's why expanding our workforce is one of the top priorities of my administration," said Governor Phil Scott, justifying his decision to ratify the Remote Worker Grant Programme.
The policy is aimed to address Vermont's aging population
You must be wondering why the Vermont government is doing this. Well, the policy is aimed at addressing Vermont's rapidly aging population, and its consequently shrinking tax base. In numbers, while the median age in the US increased by five years to 37.8 years nationally, Vermont saw its median age go up by 10 years in the same period.
Vermont is also taking other measures to lure people in
The trend, understandably, has made Vermont one of the states with the oldest population in the US. Authorities are trying their best to tackle the issue. Apart from the Remote Worker Grant Programme, the state's tourism department has also started the Stay-to-Stay initiative aimed at convincing the state's annual 13 million tourists to permanently settle in the state.
