Antin once had to lay off more than 25% of his team.
Courtesy of Judd Antin
Judd Antin has held leadership roles at Meta and Airbnb, where he worked between 2012 and 2022.
During that time, he led teams through rapid changes, such as layoffs.
He learned one secret to effective leadership: authentic clarity.
Over the course of my career in Big Tech, I've been lucky to work at several successful, fast-growing companies. At Meta and Airbnb, I helped scale research and design teams from 2012 to 2022, ultimately becoming Head of Design Studio at Airbnb.
I loved building teams of talented people, but it wasn't all roses. Rapid changes and looming crises were constants, as they seem to be at most companies.
For example, I was working at Airbnb when COVID-19 hit in 2020. The company lost 80% of its business in a matter of weeks, and by May, I was forced to lay off more than 25% of my team. Managing that crisis and recovery was one of the most difficult leadership crucibles of my career.
The everyday chaos of a fast-paced company was just as educational, though, and one strategy for managing it rose above the rest.
The secret to effective leadership in times of change — whether it's reorgs, strategy shifts, or layoffs — is to provide authentic clarity.
Clarity allows people to move forward calmly, even if they don't have all the answers. In a chaotic environment, providing clarity takes frequent communication in an authentic voice.
Clarity, not certainty
Early in my leadership career, I mistakenly assumed that being a decisive leader in a crisis meant projecting certainty. My logic was that people need to be reassured their leader knows exactly what to do.
I quickly realized that was a fantasy.
I can't remember a single time in my leadership career when I had all the answers.
Once, in an effort to project certainty, I confidently presented some details using guesswork. But things were moving fast, and the information I shared was proven wrong just days later. What I thought would be useful only made me look foolish and ultimately damaged my team's trust in me.
After a few failed efforts, I realized my team didn't need me to have all the answers; they just needed me to provide clarity about what was happening. I learned the importance of clarity in three key areas:
What is happening? It's essential to clearly state the facts as you know them, even if they're incomplete, to help people process what's happening.
Why is it happening? Sharing the "what" without the "why" is a key mistake. My understanding of the "why" was usually incomplete, but sharing any context I had helped my teams make sense of it.
What does it mean for me? It's usually hard for people to translate high-level changes down to their level. Even simple reminders like "Your day-to-day work won't change," or "Here's when we'll know how this will affect our road map," helped people feel calmer.
The best leaders I've worked with were proactive about answering these questions, reaching out to teams early and often. I made it a practice to hold frequent Q&A sessions with my teams, and say things like: "Good question, I don't know. Let me see if I can find out." I found that even a response like that could be clarifying.
Communicate like a human
People can tell immediately when leaders aren't being themselves, so it's important to communicate in your own voice.
Early in my career, I followed instructions from HR or internal comms teams and stuck to the talking points. I used templates for my emails and repeated the language I was given during leadership meetings. But my team quickly called me out, and I realized I was hurting my reputation by communicating like a corporate puppet.
Rather than relying on jargon or HR talking points, I started trying to speak honestly and vulnerably. The strategy I developed wasn't going rogue in a sensitive situation; it was translating the company's carefully chosen talking points into my own voice, using empathy.
In practice, this also meant I'd say things like: "I don't know what's going to happen either. The uncertainty isn't great, but I'll let you know as soon as I know more."
Or: "This sucks. Layoffs are hard for everyone, especially when it's good friends and talented colleagues we're saying goodbye to."
Acknowledging real things like frustration or mistakes helped build trust by signalling we were all in the same boat.
Repeat yourself. Then repeat yourself.
The No. 1 mistake I've noticed leaders make during times of change isn't just poor communication; it's infrequent communication.
Even leaders who were good at providing authentic clarity weren't doing so consistently.
They'd communicate once and assume everyone understood. Or worse, they'd say nothing until they had all the answers, or there was something new to say. But that vacuum would often be filled with gossip and speculation.
I learned the solution was simply to repeat the message. I'd share the most important messages multiple times via several channels and in different words, because different framings might resonate with different people.
People have high anxiety and a short memory in times of crisis. Touching base often, even if there's little new information to share, builds confidence in a visible, highly present leader. Even without new information, it helps people feel confident that they didn't miss something.
Leading through change was never about having all the answers
During my Big Tech career, I observed that the most effective leaders in a crisis were rarely the ones with all the answers or the boldest vision. They were the ones who communicated clearly, showed up consistently, and were willing to be authentic. That's what builds trust and gets teams through chaos.
Representatives for Meta and Airbnb did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Do you have a story to share about managing teams through rough seas in Big Tech? Contact the editor, Charissa Cheong, atccheong@businessinsider.com
Seventeen band member Joshua Hong at Glastonbury in summer 2024.
Joseph Okpako/WireImage
Joshua Hong of Seventeen has released a new track in English.
The track is a reimagination of the TikTok-viral "Love is Gone," originally by US DJ duo Slander.
The new English track comes as Seventeen gears up for a new world tour.
Joshua Hong of Seventeen is one of 13 band members, but he's poised to become one of the K-pop moneymaker's most significant assets stateside yet.
On Friday, Hong released his reimagining of "Love is Gone," originally by the US DJ duo Slander, featuring American singer-songwriter Dylan Matthew. The TikTok-famous heartbreak anthem went viral during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This was such a special collaboration and opportunity to work with a group of incredibly talented artists to create a brand new world for this record. The Seventeen version stays true to the emotional core, but breathes new life with fresh vocal melodies and overtones," Slander said in a press release.
Hong hasn't released solo music yet, but he released the English track "2 MINUS 1" in 2021 with his Korean-American bandmate, Vernon.
The latest release comes as Hong has become one of the more active group members. Two members on Seventeen's roster — Jeonghan and Wonwoo — have enlisted for South Korea's compulsory military service, with dance leader Hoshi and vocalist and producer Woozi set to join them in September.
Hong is American and is exempt from serving in the Korean army.
And that's just as well, because he's all over the place, from the cover of Allure Korea to releasing a perfume in collaboration with Lola James Harper. He has also inadvertently fueled the Labubu-buying frenzy in South Korea by posting snaps of him kissing the doll and being spotted at the airport with the doll clipped to his Chanel bag.
To be sure, Hong isn't the only Seventeen member who's had significant solo activities. The band's leader, S.Coups, recently made his Met Gala debut in a gray Hugo Boss outfit that resembled a traditional Korean hanbok.
The band is set to embark on another tour that kicks off on September 13 in Incheon, South Korea.
Having an American member of a K-pop band being active stateside is an ongoing strategy for Hybe, the megacompany that owns Pledis, Hong's label. In June, Hybe was marked as a "buy" pick by Goldman Sachs analysts, who said they were "most bullish on HYBE's fundamentals for producing and monetizing Mega IPs."
The Grammy-nominated BTS — also under Hybe — is set to return in 2026 with new music and a tour. In the meantime, Seventeen remains one of the most successful investments under Hybe's umbrella.
In 2023 Seventeen, per statistics compiled by Goldman, achieved an all-time high of 4.5 million albums sold in week one of release, breaking BTS's record of 3.3 million copies.
The US also holds promise for big money for groups from Hybe and beyond. Stray Kids, the mega-band under the label JYP, just wrapped up the US leg of its dominATE tour.
June Boyd, 90, still works part-time to pay her bills.
Brittany Greeson for BI
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with June Boyd, 90, who lives in Toledo, Ohio. Boyd works as a director's assistant for a community development nonprofit that helps people 55 and olderfind work. Boyd doesn't have much in savings, though she isn't worried about her future. Her words have been edited for length and clarity.
My career has been wonderful. In 1953, I was the first African American to graduate from one of Toledo's premier high schools. I also attended a couple of years of college studying business but didn't graduate.
The main basis of my happiness has been politics. In 1958, I was the first African American to work in the county commissioner's office in Lucas County. I started volunteering there and got a job in the office in 1959. I was employed there for six years.
After a long career in politics and real estate, I'm still working at 90 because I need the money.
Politics is everything, whether it's the newspaper, the hospital, or the school board
Boyd has had a long career in politics.
Brittany Greeson for BI
I was able to get many people jobs because of the connections and power that the county commissioners had. I then went on to be a board member at the Lucas County Board of Elections.
I was the first African American female board member out of 88 counties in Ohio. I served in that position for eight years and helped oversee the election process from start to finish, like recruiting booth officials.
I was later employed at Toledo's affirmative action office, where I worked with people with disabilities and those facing discrimination issues.
Throughout my career in politics, I was also selling real estate
I was divorced and was raising two children alone. I got my real-estate license in 1966, but I couldn't afford to wait until I got a commission. I needed a paycheck every two weeks, so I worked two jobs.
I had to get custody of my granddaughter and then my great-grandson while I was becoming a senior citizen. I recognized that in deciding to help my family, I had to keep working.
I've always been employed, and the only time I was unemployed was during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was always willing to do any job that I felt I could make an honest living in. I've never had any thoughts about stopping or retiring when I couldn't afford to.
I get a Social Security check of $1,100 each month
Many of the jobs that I had with the city and county were through the state's Public Employees' Retirement System. Usually, you have to put 30 years in before you can retire and get a retirement check. I never accumulated 30 years and came short with about 27.
Instead of letting my pension accumulate, I would spend it because I needed it for things like a new car, tuition for my kids, and other expenses that negated my ability to save that money. If I could've afforded it, I would've kept my pension in escrow.
The program recruits residents who are 55 and over who need additional income. They're put into a training program, and while looking for employment, we train them to update their computer skills.
I was hired as the director's assistant, working 24 hours a week. Given the major discrimination based on ageism in the workplace, my basic obligation is to contact prospective employers who may want to employ people 55 and over.
However, I haven't earned anything since early July. I thought the budget had already been approved through 2026, but we're waiting for someone to take care of some details and let us get back to work. It's been really difficult.
I'm probably one of the most active senior citizens in my community
I'm very involved with my parish, where I'm a Eucharistic minister and elector. I also serve on the parish council.
I'm still politically active. I organized a democratic business and professional women's club. I'm on the Democratic Party's executive committee, and I'm one of the oldest members.
For my coming book, "Reflections of a Liberal Politician (Who Believes In Work)," I'm writing a chapter on aging. The first sentence is that I can tell you about the past, but you can't tell me about the future — plain and simple.
I live a spiritual life. I've had so many positive things in my life, and that's what makes me happy now.
I'm struggling financially, though
I get about $1,100 a month in salary from PathStone and then my $1,100 in Social Security. If I had worked solely in the private sector and not been diverted to the Public Employees' Retirement System, I'd probably be getting double that.
Seniors don't get a discount on utility bills, auto insurance, mortgages, or other bills. After I cover my expenses, there's not a lot of money left. Practical things like grocery shopping or getting gasoline in my car are expensive. I've got 14 great-grandchildren now, and I tend to help the family.
Boyd said her family will always be there to support her if she can't work.
Brittany Greeson for BI
I have no doubt that my family and friends would look out for me
I have family living with me in my six-bedroom home, and they pay rent. My daughter and granddaughter both live here, and my grandson and his significant other live upstairs.
There's a lot of love and happiness here. I get my own satisfaction out of letting these children know how good life can be.
I could also get into a senior residential facility where you're only charged for a percentage of your income. Right now, I have no doubts about my future, and if I'm unable to work, I know my children will look out for me.
I have relatively good health. I suffer from chronic sinus problems and have high blood pressure, but I consider myself blessed. Even my doctor says instead of 90, I probably look 62 age-wise.
I like turning wedding weekends into mini vacations.
Anna Staropoli
I've received lots of wedding invitations over the past few years.
Many of the weddings I've been invited to have required me to travel.
Now, I like to turn every wedding invitation into a mini vacation.
I don't know whether the influx of wedding invites I've received is a byproduct of the many celebrations that got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic or a rite of passage for anyone approaching their late 20s.
Either way, the last few years have filled my calendar — and the outside of my refrigerator — with many an invitation and save the date. Many of these invitations have also required me to travel.
To maximize pricey flights, I've leveraged weddings to explore places like West Palm Beach, Cleveland, and even my own city. Here's how I've created the perfect marriage between wedding and personal travel.
I stay open and flexible to spur-of-the-moment experiences
While in Ohio for my cousin's wedding, I stopped at the house from "A Christmas Story."
Anna Staropoli
Sandusky, Ohio, doesn't exactly scream "getaway," but for my cousin's wedding, my boyfriend and I embarked on a Midwest road trip.
While driving, I discovered two things: "A Christmas Story" was filmed in Cleveland, and my boyfriend had never had a meal at Waffle House.
Before we even arrived at our hotel, we mapped out our return, making sure to hit the iconic filming location and the famous chain restaurant on the way home. I loved that attending the wedding gave us a reason to explore the area and try new things.
Once in Sandusky, I maintained that eagerness, visiting Lake Erie, trying Culver's custard, and exploring Marblehead Lighthouse.
To manage expectations, I've learned to treat each wedding trip as an introduction to a place
A few years ago, I planned my first post-wedding trip to Miami after a friend's West Palm Beach ceremony.
Although I enjoyed Miami, I chastised myself for everything I'd missed in the Palm Beaches. Beyond visiting the Norton Museum of Art, I saw little of West Palm.
Since then, I've adjusted my expectations. I have neither the time nor energy to do everything I'd like to, so I regard wedding trips as city introductions rather than the end-all-be-all of tours.
This mindset has minimized the pressure I place on my vacations and inspired future travels.
Even when weddings are close to home, I embrace the art of the staycation
I'm glad I decided to get a hotel room when I attended a wedding on Lake Canandaigua.
Anna Staropoli
Last summer, I attended a wedding on Lake Canandaigua, just an hour from my Rochester, New York, apartment. Although I could've commuted, the venue had been on my radar since moving upstate, so I booked a room.
That decision was well worth the hotel cost. I jumped in the lake countless times, caught up with college friends, and sipped riesling: the Finger Lakes' claim to fame.
That wedding also sparked my interest in exploring the other Finger Lakes and refreshed my perspective on my surroundings.
I try not to jam-pack my schedule after the wedding festivities are over.
I'm planning on attending a wedding at the Chicago Botanic Garden soon. Although I'd initially planned for an extra day in the city, I realized my hotel was actually an hour away from the city center.
In order to conserve my energy, I've since adapted my trip to tour Chicago's North Shore and the chic, much closer suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois.
Beyond those activities, however, I'm leaving the rest of my day open. After a weekend of wedding events, I'll likely feel worn down and ready to recharge. Although weddings are structured to the hour, wedding trips can balance out the frenzy of a celebratory weekend.
This story was originally published on August 13, 2024, and most recently updated on July 23, 2025.
Welcome back to our Sunday edition, where we round up some of our top stories and take you inside our newsroom.Dell employees are not OK. Every year, the company conducts an engagement survey for its workers, called "Tell Dell." One metric of employee satisfaction has dropped by 50% in two years amid layoffs and its push to get workers back in the office.
On the agenda today:
Six former federal workers spoke to BI about what life is like after being laid off by DOGE.
The freakiest aspect of the Coldplay "kiss cam" fiasco isn't a potential office affair, writes BI's Katie Notopoulos.
But first: Unpacking the new generational debate.
If this was forwarded to you,sign up here. Download Business Insider's apphere.
This week's dispatch
BI
Your ultimate guide to the 'Gen Z stare'
Millennials gave us skinny jeans and avocado toast. Gen Z? They've mastered the stare.
Yes, that stare — the blank, expressionless look from the younger generation that's been lighting up the internet lately. Is it real? A post-pandemic side effect? A silent cry for help? Or is it just how Gen Z vibes?
At Business Insider, we dove headfirst into the phenomenon, decoding the psychology, exploring what it means for careers, and examining how it plays out in the workplace.
What is it? As more of Gen Z enters the workforce, some millennials say younger workers greet customers and colleagues with wide eyes, blank expressions, and pregnant pauses. Most of the debate hinges on Gen Zers working customer service roles, like hostessing at restaurants or taking orders at coffee shops. While this could be a sign of workplace awkwardness or underdeveloped soft skills, others are pushing back and saying the trend's blame is misplaced.
The value of silence. BI's Katie Notopoulos, an older millennial, said if you're on the receiving end of the "Gen-Z stare," maybe you're the problem. "One thing I learned is that sometimes silence is the best way to handle a situation. In other words, you might say: Give 'em the 'Gen Z stare.' If someone keeps pushing, eventually you have to leave some silence hanging in the air — no more room for them to negotiate." Just don't get Katie started on how Gen Zers answer the phone!
Is screen time to blame?Psychologists and generational experts are weighing in, saying the phenomenon could have more to do with natural growing pains on a first job. There are also factors unique to Gen Z's upbringing, including how the generation has grown up in front of screens. One professor told BI that it's naive to underestimate the impact that COVID-19 shutdowns and online learning could have had on young people's development.
What do Gen Zers think? We asked several young people between the ages of 17 and 27 what they thought about the debate. A 21-year-old from Boston thinks the whole thing is overblown. A 20-year-old from the Bay Area said she sees it all the time. A 17-year-old heard from her parents that she had been inadvertently doing it.
We asked our readers if they had experienced the "Gen Z stare." The results are in, and spoiler — a majority of you have!
Life after DOGE
Greg Kahn for BI
It's been six months since Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency slashed the federal workforce in an effort to "streamline the Federal Government, eliminate unnecessary programs, and reduce bureaucratic inefficiency."
After months of being in limbo, a recent Supreme Court ruling allowed the stalled firings to proceed. In a series of conversations with BI, six former government employees spoke about their career shifts, what life is like outside government work, and more.
The ability to return a purchased item has become a core part of the shopping experience. Retailers say consumers are taking advantage of returns — and a recent report from Appriss Retail and Deloitte found it's costing businesses $103 billion a year.
Some consumers are committing outright fraud by shipping back empty boxes or claiming a package never arrived. Others are sending back items after months of use. The culprits are often everyday consumers, and they don't feel bad.
Elite millennials like Dan Schweber are quitting corporate America in favor of search funds: the practice of buying and running small businesses, also known as "mini private equity."
Plenty of these unglamorous small businesses — like carwashes, plumbing, or snowplowing — are owned by boomers looking to retire. That makes them prime for millennial MBAs like Schweber, who can, in some cases, turn them into multimillion-dollar companies.
Chris Martin of Coldplay wondered about the relationship status of Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, who were broadcast on a jumbotron during a concert this week.
Robert Okine/Getty Images
You've probably heard of the viral concert "kiss cam" video that appeared to show Astronomer CEO Andy Byron embracing the company's head of HR Kristin Cabot, then springing apart once they realize they're on camera. The reaction prompted Coldplay's Chris Martin to comment, "Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy."
A potential office affair is good gossip, but BI's Katie Notopoulos thinks there's something more troubling here: the knee-jerk reaction to identify the people in the video.
Cities across the US that might have previously flown under the radar are offering new residents big incentives, from cash to free land.
Lillian Griffith moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, from Alpharetta, Georgia, in August 2022 to take advantage of the Tulsa Remote program, which granted her $10,000 simply for relocating to the city.
"The Tulsa Remote program is not some elitist program that only accepts people who work in high-paying positions," Griffith, a data engineer, told Business Insider in 2023. "It's more about pulling people who can bring a good culture to the city."
New residents can boost the communities offering incentives, too.
Perry County, Indiana, located an hour west of Louisville, Kentucky, offers qualifying new residents $7,000 split into two payments: $3,500 when they arrive and $3,500 after 12 months.
It's an investment in the region's future, said Shiraz Mukarram, manager at the Perry County Development Corporation.
"We do not want Perry County to be one of those statistics of a declining population. We want to make it grow," Mukarram told BI.
Business Insider rounded up 26 places across the US that are dishing out perks to anyone who moves there, presented in alphabetical order.
Do you know of another city that pays people to move there? Did you get paid to move somewhere? We'd love to hear about it. Email reporter Jordan Pandy atjpandy@businessinsider.comor Alcynna Lloyd atalloyd@insider.com.
A lottery program in Baltimore wants to reduce the upfront costs required for prospective residents to buy a home.
Downtown Baltimore.
Cyndi Monaghan/Getty Images
Buying Into Baltimore is a program that awards $5,000 in down-payment and closing-cost assistance to a few lucky prospective homebuyers who enter a lottery after attending a special Trolley Tour that is held three times a year. (The next one will be in the fall.)
The prize is not limited to first-time homebuyers, but following the event, applicants have 10 business days to make an offer on a home, have the offer accepted, and obtain a contract of sale to be eligible to even enter the lottery.
A special note for remote workers considering making a move: The property must also be used as a primary residence.
This small Kansas town will pay you to build a home there.
Belleville, Kansas, is offering eligible homebuyers up to $35,000 in construction grants.
miflippo/Getty Images
Building a house can be expensive, but what if someone helped foot the bill?
Belleville, a small town in north-central Kansas' Republic County, is offering up to $35,000 in grants to attract new residents willing to build homes there.
The incentive includes a $25,000 base grant for anyone constructing a single-family home. An additional $10,000 bonus is available to those whose homes are among the first five built within city limits.
To qualify, you have to apply through Republic County's economic development office or partner with a local bank prior to starting construction. After approval, construction must begin within 30 days.
Belleville, through MakeMyMove, also offers eligible remote workers perks beyond homebuying: up to $1,500 annually for five years toward student loans and up to $3,000 for movers who are employed by Republic County.
A city on a lake in Minnesota wants to reimburse you for your relocation costs.
Bemidji sits on an idyllic lake, pictured above, in Northern Minnesota.
Dylan Kovach/Getty Images
Bemidji, a 15,000-person city in northern Minnesota, has a program offering remote workers interested in moving to the area six months of free internet service, a one-year membership to a coworking space, a one-year membership to the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, and free access to community programs and events.
To qualify, movers must work primarily from home and be relocating from at least 60 miles away.
A city in Iowa will give $5,000 to remote workers who relocate to the area.
The skyline of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
ferrantraite/Getty Images
Nicknamed the "City of Five Seasons," Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is located in eastern Iowa along the banks of the Cedar River. While it's the second-largest city in the state, its closest big town is Des Moines, which is about a two-hour drive northeast.
Cedar Rapids is located in one of the most prominent manufacturing regions in the US and is recognized as the largest corn-processing city in the world, according to its official website. Beyond agriculture, the city also has a strong job market, with several Fortune 500 companies, including Collins Aerospace and Nordstrom calling it home.
In partnership with MakeMyMove, the city is offering $5,000 to non-Iowa residents to relocate there. To qualify, applicants must be willing to move within six months of approval, work remotely, and earn an annual income of at least $55,000.
Columbus, Georgia, will pay remote workers $5,000 to move there.
Columbus, Georgia.
SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images
Columbus, a 200,000-person city on the Georgia-Alabama border, is offering $5,000 to remote workers who move there.
Through MakeMyMove, Columbus also offers relocators other perks, including six months of time at a coworking space, coffee with the mayor, and a two-night hotel stay for a visit before your move.
The total package is worth $8,700, according to MakeMyMove.
In order to qualify for the program, you need to be employed full-time, earn at least $75,000, and live at least 75 miles outside Columbus at the time of the application.
Fort Wayne, Indiana, will help you pay your down payment.
Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Photo by Mike Kline (notkalvin)/Getty Images
Both first-time and repeat homebuyers moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana, can get help buying a home thanks to Hoosier Homes Plus, a down payment assistance program sponsored by the Fort Wayne Housing Authority.
The program offers buyers up to 5% of the home's purchase price to assist with down payment and closing costs.
To qualify, applicants must work with an approved lender, have a minimum credit score of 640, and have a household income at or below the county-specific limit of $126,000.
Additionally, first-time homebuyers are required to complete a homebuyer education course.
Hamilton, Ohio, assists recent graduates with their student-loan payments.
A shot of the Butler County Courthouse in Hamilton, Ohio.
Jon Gambrell/AP
Hamilton, Ohio — a city of 63,000 about 20 miles north of Cincinnati — is encouraging recent college graduates to apply for its Talent Attraction Program Scholarship.
Scholarship recipients can get up to $15,000 a year toward student loan payments.
In order to qualify for the scholarship, you must have graduated from a STEAM (science, tech, engineering, the arts, or math) program within the last seven years. You must not already live in the city of Hamilton but have plans to move or live in what the city defines as one of its urban neighborhoods.
Applicants must demonstrate employment within Butler County or a full-time remote position. Preference is given to people "with a desire to give back to the community and become engaged in activities."
This city in Kansas is helping renters become homeowners.
Hutchinson, Kansas
Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Hutchinson — a city of about 40,000 people in south central Kansas — is helping its movers achieve the American dream of homeownership.
The city is offering renters who move into one of its qualifying neighborhoods —College Grove, Creekside, Founders, Grace Arbor, Houston Whiteside Historic District, Midtown — up to $2,500 in matching funds to purchase their first home.
Jackson, Michigan, is offering up to $25,000 to help people buy homes in the city.
Jackson, Michigan.
DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Jackson, Michigan, a city of about 31,000 people in south-central Michigan, is attracting residents with newly built homes and down payment assistance.
As part of its 100 Home Program, the city plans to construct 100 one-and two-bedroom homes on vacant residential lots across Jackson, each priced at $175,000.
To help buyers better afford these homes, the city is offering up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for eligible applicants earning up to 120% of the area's median income.
In addition, buyers are encouraged to apply for an extra $10,000 in assistance through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
A Kentucky nonprofit is trying to reverse population loss by offering $7,500 to people who move to one of 34 counties in the state.
Red River Gorge near Stanton, Kentucky.
Joshua Moore
The nonprofit Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) was founded to reverse population loss in the rural, mountainous regions of Kentucky.
It offers relocation grants to remote workers, which include $5,000 for the worker who moves, plus an additional $2,500 bonus if their partner secures a job in education or healthcare.
Interested remote workers can move to any of 34 eligible counties in the eastern part of Kentucky; the swath includes a scenic network of canyons called the Red River Gorge and the Country Music Highway Museum, dedicated to artists from the region like Billy Ray Cyrus and The Judds.
Applicants must make $70,000 and currently reside outside Kentucky.
Ketchikan, Alaska, pays up to $2,000 a year to live there and provides free internet.
The coastal village of Ketchikan, Alaska.
Royce Bair/Getty Images
Ketchikan, a scenic coastal city near the southernmost tip of Alaska that is a 90-minute flight from Seattle, launched the Choose Ketchikan program in November 2021.
Applicants over 18 must be "fully employed." To be eligible, an individual or family must currently live outside Alaska while working remotely for a company that is also outside Alaska.
After relocation, all Alaska residents get an annual payment from Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend, which can be as much as $3,000 a year or more.
Ketchikan, which touts its clean air and drinking water, is also offering new residents three months of free high-speed internet.
This Georgia town will pay you $2,500 and give you a gym membership if you move there.
A neighborhood in Macon, Georgia.
Alex Potemkin/Getty Images
Macon-Bibb, Georgia, is one of the newest cities to launch a relocation program through MakeMyMove.
The central Georgia city is offering qualifying out-of-state remote workers $2,500 to make it their home. Additionally, new residents will receive a three-month coworking membership at The Office, a local workspace, and a three-month family trial membership at One Life Fitness, a local gym.
The state of Maine offers student-loan repayment assistance to eligible college graduates.
Bangor, Maine.
If you live in Maine during the tax year, you are likely eligible for a tax credit that could total up to $2,500 annually, up to $25,000 lifetime, toward student-loan payments.
Additional perks are available for graduates with STEM degrees, including the possibility of refunding the entirety of their state tax payments.
Manilla, Iowa, is offering free plots of land to people who will build homes on them.
A view of Manilla, Iowa.
City of Manilla
Manilla — a small city in western Iowa — is offering free lots of land to anyone looking to build a single-family home.
Manilla is also eliminating taxes on the homes built on the "no cost lots" for the first five years.
A program in West Virginia is offering potential new residents $12,000 in cash.
Downtown Morgantown, West Virginia.
West Virginia Tourism Department.
West Virginia launched a program named Ascend WV to attract out-of-state remote workers to Morgantown, a vibrant college town home to West Virginia University.
To be eligible, potential residents must be 18 years or older, able to verify remote employment, and willing to move to the city of 30,000 for two years.
Those accepted to the program are expected to relocate to Morgantown within six months and receive $12,000 in cash in monthly installments. If people choose to purchase a home in West Virginia, they can get the remaining cash payments in a lump sum.
Other perks of the program include a coworking-space membership and free outdoor-gear rentals.
In addition to Morgantown, Ascend WV also incentivizes moves to other parts of West Virginia: the Greenbrier Valley, the Eastern Panhandle, the New River Gorge area, and Greater Elkins community.
Newton, Iowa, is offering homebuyers more than $10,000 to buy a house priced at $240,000 or more.
The Jasper Country Courthouse in Newton, Iowa.
The city is offering $10,000 in cash to buyers of homes valued at more than $240,000 and a five-year tax abatement for homes below that value. Eligible homes include single-family new builds that started construction in 2020 or 2021.
There's also a "Get to Know Newton Welcome Package" that includes gifts from local businesses and opportunities to attend local events, including at the Iowa Speedway.
A town outside Indianapolis is offering a $5,000 grant and other perks to new residents.
The Hamilton County courthouse building in Noblesville, Indiana.
Purdue9394/Getty Images
Located just 30 minutes from downtown Indianapolis, Noblesville is home to the Ruoff Music Center, the region's most significant outdoor concert venue.
The town is offering new residents a package that includes a $5,000 relocation grant, a $500 health and wellness stipend, and a one-year membership to a local coworking space, among other incentives.
Remote workers interested in the program must make at least $80,000 annually and be able to relocate within six months of applying.
A small Illinois town is offering $5,000 to movers looking for work.
Quincy, Illinois.
Quincy's Calling
Quincy, Illinois, a town of 40,000 on the Missouri border, has also launched a program to incentivize Americans to relocate there.
The Quincy Workforce Relocation Assistance Program, also called Quincy's Calling, offers movers who can get a job within the county a property-tax rebate of up to $5,000 after one year of living and working in the area.
If you would prefer to rent, you can get a rental rebate of up to $3,500 after six months of residency and employment.
Remote workers aren't eligible for the program. New residents must work in Adams County, where Quincy is.
A small county in Indiana is paying qualified remote workers $7,000.
Tell City, Indiana, is located in Perry County.
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Since 2023, Perry County has offered a cash incentive of $7,000 to qualifying remote workers and their families who move to the rural community. Located between Evansville, Illinois, and Louisville, Kentucky, along the Ohio River, Perry County has fewer than 20,000 residents, according to the most recent census data.
The $7,000 payment is split into two installments — one when families first move and another after 12 months. Families also receive a welcome basket that includes freebies from local fudge to discounted WiFi.
Eligible applicants must make $50,000 at a job they can retain when they move and be able to relocate within 6 months.
Shiraz Mukarram, manager at the Perry County Development Corporation, told BI that families have moved to the county from states including Florida, Georgia, California, and Massachusetts with great success.
Remote workers could earn $5,000 if they move to Switzerland County, Indiana.
A welcome to Indiana sign.
fotoguy22/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Switzerland County, Indiana, about an hour southeast of Cincinnati, is home to the towns of Patriot and Vevay.
Still, each year, people from across the country gather to celebrate the county's wine heritage and sample wines at its annual Swiss Wine Festival.
To encourage relocation to the area, the city has partnered with MakeMyMove to offer $5,000 to eligible out-of-state remote workers who relocate there.
A handful of cities in Alabama are offering remote workers who move to the area $10,000 cash, paid out over a year.
The view from a bridge in Florence, Alabama.
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The Shoals in Alabama — a cluster of municipalities including Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia that straddles the banks of the Tennessee River — is offering remote workers $10,000 to move to the area.
Near the border with Tennessee and Mississippi, the four cities are just a few hours from hubs including Memphis, Nashville, and Birmingham.
The program offers $2,500 upfront for relocation costs, an additional $2,500 six months after moving there, and $5,000 at the end of the first year of residency.
Eligible applicants must be over 18 and able to move to the region within six months. They must also be employed outside the area and have a minimum annual income of $52,000.
Texarkana, which straddles Texas and Arkansas, offers a $5,000 relocation bonus to new residents.
The Texarkana state line divides the twin cities.
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Texarkana is a pair of neighboring twin cities with the same name in both states it straddles: Texas and Arkansas.
The cities have separate municipal governments but often operate as one metropolitan region. It has a joint offer for remote workers moving to either city.
Texarkana is offering a $5,000 relocation bonus along with other incentives, including free tickets to the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra and a 25% tuition discount at Texas A&M at Texarkana, the local four-year public university.
Eligible applicants must make at least $75,000 a year. They must reside outside the state of Arkansas or, if a Texas resident, at least 75 miles from Texarkana.
Topeka, Kansas, is offering potential new residents up to $15,000 to move there.
Topeka, Kansas.
Bajillion Agency/Choose Topeka
Kansas' state capital has teamed up with employers to offer cash to those willing to move there.
Participants of the program, called Choose Topeka, can receive up to $15,000 if they purchase a home in Topeka and secure a job in the area. Remote workers with employment outside the area can earn up to $5,000 toward rental costs or $10,000 toward a home purchase.
As an added bonus, Jimmy John's, the sandwich franchise, throws in an extra $1,000 for anyone who moves within delivery range of one of its shops.
Tucson, Arizona, is offering remote workers perks and services worth about $7,500.
Tucson, Arizona.
Nick Fox/Shutterstock
A local economic-development organization launched Remote Tucson during the COVID-19 pandemic to lure remote workers to the area.
The program offers relocators $1,500 toward moving costs, one year of free internet, free trials at local coworking spaces, membership to a local cultural institution, networking opportunities, and more.
Eligible applicants must be over 18 years old, have full-time remote employment outside the area, and be able to move to Tucson within six months.
Tulsa Remote, one of the country's most well-known incentive programs, offers remote workers $10,000 grants.
Laura Landers (left), Corinne Gaston (middle), and Michael Boyink (right) all moved to Tulsa through Tulsa Remote.
Laura Landers/Corinne Gaston/Michael Boyink
Tulsa Remote, a program that started in 2018, is designed to draw new residents to Oklahoma. Since 2018, the program has helped more than 1,400 people relocate to Tulsa.
The program offers $10,000, which people can put toward purchasing or renting a home in Tulsa. It also offers $500 travel reimbursements and a $150 Airbnb credit for applicants to familiarize themselves with the area.
BI previously interviewed four people who hailed from major cities on both US coasts and made the move to Tulsa — most said it was a fantastic decision.
To qualify for the program, applicants must be over 18 and live outside Oklahoma. They must also prove a consistent stream of income and the ability to work remotely. Applicants must also promise to commit to moving to and living in Tulsa for at least one year.
This Arkansas town will pay you to move and even treat you to dinner with the mayor.
A towboat on the Mississippi River.
DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images
Sitting just across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee, is West Memphis, Arkansas, which is working to attract more residents.
The city is offering housing incentives for movers. Homebuyers can receive up to $10,000 in cash, while renters may qualify for up to $5,000.
Through MakeMyMove, new residents also receive a two-night stay at West Memphis' Southland Casino Hotel and an opportunity to have dinner with the mayor.
Taylor Borden, Libertina Brandt, and Leanna Garfield contributed to previous versions of this story.