Nonprofit offering up to 10k to relocate to West Memphis
‘Make My Move’ offering remote workers cash and other incentives to live in West Memphis
By DONALD WILBURN
donaldfwilburn@gmail.com
In a initiative aimed at attracting new residents to West Memphis, the ‘Make My Move’ campaign is offering families the chance to earn thousands of dollars or receive complimentary Memphis Grizzlies tickets simply by relocating to the city.
Since its launch specifically including West Memphis in May, the campaign has already received an overwhelming response, with over 750 applications pouring in. The incentives offered by ‘Make My Move’ include $5,000 for individuals looking to rent a home in West Memphis and a generous $10,000 for those interested in purchasing a property in the city.
In addition to the financial incentives, participants in the campaign may also have the opportunity to receive Memphis Grizzlies tickets and enjoy a dinner with West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon. To be eligible for the program, individuals must have an annual income of at least $80,000, live at least 75 miles outside the city limits and be able to work remotely from their new residence.
Mayor McClendon has thrown his full support behind the campaign, stating that it is designed to attract professionals such as nurses, doctors, teachers, and anyone seeking a conducive environment to work from home. While there is currently no limit on the number of participants who may be offered incentives, Mayor McClendon emphasized that the availability of incentives will depend on the city’s budget.
The official website of ‘Make My Move’ is filled with testimonials, including that of Shanelle Sherlin,
See NONPROFIT, page A2 NONPROFIT
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who relocated from Los Angeles to Arkansas through the program. Sherlin, who had been working remotely from her parents’ home in Colorado during the pandemic, was able to purchase a spacious 3,400 square-foot four-bedroom house in the Ozark Mountains for $405,000. Sherlin said she plans to live on the second floor while renting out the first floor and that a comparable setup back home in LA would cost upwards of $2 million.
The ‘Make My Move’ campaign is not exclusive to West Memphis, as a non-profit organization based in Indiana is also offering incentives for individuals to move to cities like Fort Smith, Texarkana, and various cities in Indiana, Kansas, Georgia, and Kentucky. Some incentives offered by the organization go up to $20,000 or higher.
For those interested in learning more and potentially taking advantage of the incentives offered by the ‘Make My Move’ campaign in West Memphis, visit https://www.make mymove.com/get-paid/ west-memphis-arkansas for additional information.