Attracting remote workers to your community: 3 must-read articles

The rapid growth of remote work presents new economic development opportunities for towns and cities across the country who enjoy quality of life advantages. Here are 3 essential reads for any economic developer who wants to learn more about attracting remote workers to their community. Just in case you're short on time (who isn't), I've provided three key takeaways for each article.

Article 1: How Remote Work Is Reshaping America’s Urban Geography

3 minute read

Three key takeaways from the article:

1. The remote-work revolution is already changing the way that smaller cities compete to build their economies and attract jobs.
2. This shift allows smaller cities, suburbs and rural areas to compete with the superstar cities on the basis of quality of life advantages and affordability.
3. For economic developers, remote work changes the focus from luring companies with special deals to luring talent by marketing their community’s quality of life.

Source: Richard Florida and Adam Ozimek, The Wall Street Journal

Article link: click here or go to https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-remote-work-is-reshaping-americas-urban-geography-11614960100?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink (try reading this article on your phone if you're not a subscriber to the WSJ)

Article 2: Attracting Talent Who Can Live and Work Anywhere

7 minute read

Three key takeaways:

1. Because remote workers generally have above average incomes, they make above average contributions the local economies in which they live (page 7)
2. Talent attraction approaches tend to be supported by promoting their local quality of life and affordability (page 3)
3. Remote working is a growing trend – and this report was written before COVID! (page 5) 

Source: Zachary Oliver, Dana Schoewe, Sara Lawrence, RTI International

Article link: https://www.darenc.com/home/showdocument?id=1239

Article 3: What Small Towns and Cities Need To Attract and Retain Remote Workers

4 minute read

Three key takeaways:

1. The essential item a community needs to attract remote workers is reliable and fast (10-25+ mbps) internet
2. Other services and amenities that remote workers want to know about are: open spaces and outdoor activities; restaurants (particularly locally-run, non-chain restaurants); healthcare; schools and high quality childcare programs for families; local clubs, sports, and entertainment; “Watering holes” like cafes, bars, galleries, and community centres; access to larger cities and airports.
3. Marketing your community’s quality of life advantages to remote workers (and how it fits their particular lifestyle) is essential.

Source: Stefan Palios, Remotely Inclined

Article link: click here or go to https://remotelyinclined.substack.com/p/what-small-towns-and-cities-need

About Localintel Economic Development

Localintel makes online economic development tools that hundreds of organizations have plugged into their existing or new website to help promote their location advantages. 

Our clients:

Our clients range from small rural villages through to Texas Economic Development Corporation, Enterprise Florida, the British Columbia Government, Washington DC Economic Partnership, Invest Ottawa, Calgary Economic Development, Winnipeg Economic Development, Indy Chamber, New Orleans Business Alliance and the cities of Seattle, Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale and Tulsa.

Learn more at www.ecdev.org