I hope to be joining you soon :), Emphasize your desire to shop locally. The program brings remote workers and digital nomads to the community by providing $10,000 grants and numerous community-building opportunities. Did you visit Tulsa? We've designed community building programming, events and meetups to help you engage with the organizations, local nonprofits and individuals that are working to make Tulsa the best it can be. Funded by George Kaiser Family Foundation, Tulsa Remote has basic requirements. I feel very a part of Tulsa now, he said. $10,000 (either via monthly stipends or lump sum if you purchase a home in Tulsa), Opportunity to meet like-minded individuals through the Tulsa Remote community. Selected as part of the inaugural cohort of Endeavor's Heartland ScaleUp. From free coworking space to inspiring educational experiences, our program is designed to make you feel at home from your first day here. We lived in LA for over twenty years and have many friends and family members there. In exchange, successful applicants are required to call the city home for at least 12 months. The first step is to apply for Tulsa Remotehere. Tomm now volunteers for a tutoring program called Reading Partners. "If you can come to town, and bring your job here, it can be a home run.". American Airlines is the city's biggest employer, accounting for 7,000 jobs at its global maintenance and engineering facility, according to a 2017 report from Moody's Investors Service. For my interview, I tried to think of the top 4-5 things that were most interesting about me, and how I'd bring them to the table, so to speak. So she filled out a brief application, interviewed with a Tulsa native over Zoom, and was accepted after a background check. Not a week goes by without hearing from one city thats thinking of this, everyone from Alaska to Hawaii to Georgia to New York State, he says. Tulsa has unique neighborhoods, a nationally-recognized food scene, world-class music and theatre venues, and one of the best park systems in the country. The foundation offers applicants $10,000 to move to. We've already driven back to LA for work and seen our families a few times during our first nine months. However, what really has made Tulsa "fantastic" for me, is how well . What are some interview tips? At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case. We'd love to get you the information and resources you need to take the leap to move to Tulsa. Of the nearly 800. Tulsa Remote is a case study in how remote work can shift economic development, and it paints a hopeful picture for smaller cities. Tulsa Remote introduces these newcomers to others by partnering with local organizations to host regular events and meetups to help these newcomers get better acquainted. No. Then the applicants would get thanks for trying or congrats emails. In September 2022, EIG released another study of remote work, this one reporting which cities had the highest share of work done from home. To qualify, you must be a full-time remote worker or self-employed outside of the state. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. "They need warm bodies.". This is an important part of the local economic development strategy, and the fact that it was designed and backed by a key local institution, in partnership with other local stakeholders, is a big part of the battle.. Good luck and when it works out for you.Congratulations and welcome to Tulsa. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. What should I prepare for? So if you have a business or a business idea supported by technology or is technology-enabled, then apply to this program as well. On top of the cash subsidies, the program, dubbed "Tulsa Remote," comes with a free membership to 36 Degrees North, a. I had my semi finalist interview last Thursday. The ideal candidate for Tulsa Remote is a fully-employed individual with the flexibility to work anywhere, who does not currently reside in Oklahoma or work for a company based in Oklahoma, and is looking for a community to call home. The program brings remote workers and digital nomads to the community by providing $10,000 grants and numerous community-building opportunities. Tulsa was categorized by McKinsey Global Institute's recent Future of Work report as a "stable city" in the "mixed middle," described as having modest postrecession GDP and population growth, a prosperous past but uncertain future, and neither thriving . The job came with a raise, which was amplified by the lower cost of living. While we try to accept a wide variety of movers and shakers into our program, we, unfortunately, can't invite everyone. If selected for the program, do I have to live in Tulsa? After the pandemic I knew I wasnt going to go back to California, so I was in limbo looking for that next place to call a home base, she says. That November, Mother Road Market opened as the citys first food hall with over 20 food and retail concepts plus a commercial kitchen space. EIG released another study of remote work. We know remote arrangements take planning. While the monetary incentive helps put Tulsa on the map for remote workers, they believe the program has been successful in keeping them in town by providing a level of support they wouldnt enjoy elsewhere. So while I thought there would be more than one interview, it doesn't seem like it, unless visiting is mandatory with an in person interview happening at that time. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. If selected for the program, how soon can I move? LET THEM ENTICE YOU WITH THAT GRANT. Excited to see you all soon! Bee Law has called many corners of the United States home. This blog highlights my insights and experience with TR and the city for you to consider before you apply. 36 Degrees North, a dynamic coworking space in Downtown Tulsa, provides a place to get work done and collaborate with other local entrepreneurs and remote workers. You are eligible to work in the United States, Can Move to Tulsa Within the Next 12 Months, Full-Time Remote Employment or are Self-Employed Outside of Oklahoma. Our mission has always been to attract talented and diverse individuals from across the country to Tulsa and get them connected to the existing community, said Tulsa Remote Executive Director Aaron Bolzle. How did that go? This is not a one-size-fits-all solution.. Can I still apply if I just recently moved to Tulsa? Tulsa Remote will also give you money to visit before moving, so you can see the apartments in person when you visit. No. Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below! With many programs like TR, 36 Degrees North Incubator, Endeavor ScaleUp, TechStars, Venture for America, and local venture capital firms, etc., to bring in ideas, talents, and funds to make that vision a reality. /* Must be below squarespace-headers */(function(){var e='ontouchstart'in window||navigator.msMaxTouchPoints;var t=document.documentElement;if(!e&&t){t.className=t.className.replace(/touch-styles/,'')}})(). Throw in a low cost of living, and you'll have no trouble finding reasons to start your next chapter in Tulsa. Luke Scuitto, who moved to Tulsa from Washington, DC in 2020 and works remotely for a nonprofit, also connected to the local community through volunteer work. What to Expect When Visiting Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, Top 6 Things to Do in Oklahoma City: 48-Hour Guide. Here are some details of our move and our experience with the program and the city. Dec 4-Notified of finalist status, filled out background check form and informed that once that cleared would be invited to come in person to check Tulsa out. The city is also aiming to become one of the country's largest technology and business hubs. Three months after the move, Tomm switched jobs; she now works for a company in Michigan as a UX and design consultant. This is a BETA experience. If you take the relative anonymity of living in a city like New York or San Francisco, and contrast that with the Tulsa Remote experimentof a place rolling out the red carpet for you and saying in monetary, and more importantly, non monetary ways, how much they value youpeople feel good about that, adds Fikri. It is intended for individuals who are already employed outside of Oklahoma and are able to keep their position when relocating to Tulsa. Since 2019, Tulsa Remote has brought over 1,800 people to the city by offering them $10,000. In my hometown in Wilkinsburg, [part of the Pittsburgh metro area], there were a lot of promises made that the recruitment of tech talent would impact other places besides the city [of Pittsburgh], he said in an interview. . So when the 29-year-old entrepreneur was deciding where to launch her video-based social network for anime and geek fandom, QuirkChat, she had a lot of options to consider. In July, she and her husband bought a house. We moved to Tulsa Oklahoma with Tulsa Remote! Food, housing, transport, healthcare, etc. It's a model that would work well for high-income, potentially transient residents like the ones Tulsa Remote may attract who rent rather than own property. The program wants to attract "talented and energetic people" to Tulsa who care about making a difference in their local community . Also reason for wanting to move to Tulsa. The idea is that some may eventually start their own businesses and permanently relocate to Tulsa, according to Ken Levit, executive director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. The interviewer asked a few standard questions like why I wanted to move to Tulsa, questions about my remote job, and if I had any questions or concerns about the city. Thats especially true when the program involves attracting outsiders. Were going to stay here for sure, she says. We finally went in mid-March 2021 and spent six days in Tulsa to check out the city and to apartment hunt. Today I have my interview with the Tulsa Remote Program which was one of my selling points for moving to Tulsa. According to a 2018 Upwork report, 63 percent of companies surveyed had at least one employee working remotely, and hiring managers predicted that in the next 10 years, 38 percent of their full-time employees will work mostly remotely. Are there evens or weekly/monthly meetings for the cohort? I do think it had potential to happen.. Funding is currently provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Static.COOKIE_BANNER_CAPABLE = true; Yes, the program involves cutting checks to mostly well-educated, well-paid knowledge workers. Since 2018, the Tulsa Remote program has offered remote workers moving to Tulsa $10,000 in cash, a desk at a local co-working space, and help finding housing. Sign up to receive program updates and announcements from the Tulsa Remote team so you're always in the know. Kinda sucks interviewing and being accepted without knowing where the heck you'll live. Heres how it worked out. Its a highly cost-effective intervention relative to other economic development tools, said Daniel Newman, an analyst at EIG who worked on the study. What was your final outcome? An award-winning team of journalists, designers, and videographers who tell brand stories through Fast Company's distinctive lens, The future of innovation and technology in government for the greater good, Fast Company's annual ranking of businesses that are making an outsize impact, Leaders who are shaping the future of business in creative ways, New workplaces, new food sources, new medicine--even an entirely new economic system. For Tulsa Remote members, that means individuals are working for a company located outside of Oklahoma. The median family income was about 80 percent of the national average, according to the study. It doesnt have much in the way of a technology sector. I found out that I was accepted and just needed to move within the next 12 months the following week. According to a report published by the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), for every dollar spent on the relocation incentive, $13.77 was generated in local labor income. With incredibly diverse cuisine, you can't find food this delicious, at prices this affordable, anywhere else. Born in Rochester, and raised and educated in North Carolina, shes also lived in Atlanta, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles. Rent - $658 Tulsa vs. $1,475 Denver, 2 BR Avg. After decades of brain drain in rural America, Tulsa Remote is working to attract a diverse group of remote workers to live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The program requires selected participants to move within 12 months of being accepted and completing the required verification steps. Thats especially true when the program involves attracting outsiders. It doesnt have much in the way of a technology sector, and it has a smaller share of residents with a college degree than the U.S. as a whole. What kind of remote work do you do? But there are outstanding questions about the program, too. Following its launch in 2018, Tulsa Remote will go from having chosen 100 people last year to doubling that amount for its 2020 process. Tulsa Remote is designed for individuals who have full-time remote employment with a company outside of Oklahoma. I should find out next week after they meet (apparently its usually weekly, but someone was out this week) on a yes or no from them. You are eligible to work in the United States Can Move to Tulsa Within the Next 12 Months Led by the local George Kaiser Family . When is the earliest people are accepted to move to Tulsa? Its a win-win.. He said yes, I applied, and the rest was history. Thats the logic that leads EIGs models to estimate such a high payoff for Tulsa Remote. The deal includes $2,500 toward relocation costs, a $500 monthly stipend and a $1,500 bonus at the completion of 12 months in the city, according to the program's website. 2 BR Avg. Theyre really big on what you are able to bring to the community. We're confident you'll fall in love but want to make sure we're looking for the same things. What kind of things did they ask? As part of the application process, you'll do a video interview. Browse curated job listings at Tulsa based companies. Google Analytics Often, this is referred to as working from home or telecommuting.. Since its founding in 2018, Tulsa Remote has brought nearly 1,300 remote workers to town, and a new study suggests that the investment is paying off. With internationally recognized coffee roasters and breweries, there's always a place to refuel. We mailed many items that were not fragile, like cloth, bedding, etc., fit everything else plus our cat and dog into our SUV, and started our trip to Tulsa. Nov 14-Notified of semi-finalist status, scheduled interview for Nov 26th via calendly. If selected for the program, do I have to live downtown? They want to know how you would integrate into Tulsa, what your skills are and to learn more about your personality. No. Since the programs launch, and especially since the start of the pandemic, Stewart says hes fielded calls from every corner of the country, and beyond, with inquiries related to replicating the program elsewhere. All Rights Reserved. It's a growing segment of the workforce. There are lots of smaller cities that can offer inexpensive housing. We even offer a. I asked about the next steps, and was told they meet to talk about how many spots are left and decide yes or no on those interviewed for the week. Perry spoke with CBS News in a telephone interview Wednesday. I was moving either way and was actually already under contract on a house. The remote workers who moved to Tulsa have a higher standard of living than they had before, theyre engaged in their new community, and most plan to stay. The application process for the 2020 program is now under way. Were most proud of the fact that weve retained more than 90%, says Stewart. The Tulsa Remote program opened to applicants in November 2018. Follow us for travel tips, photos of different destinations in the US and inspiration~, Dig for Crystals at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma. November 14, 2018 / 2:09 PM We shouldnt underestimate how important the pure signaling alone is; thats certainly a big part of it, says Lettieri. Tulsa Remote is not the only program of its kind the state of Vermont announced a much-publicized subsidy along the same lines in 2018 and its success will ensure that it isnt the last. Just be yourself, we are pretty nice around here despite what you might have heard. According to a report published by the. Life has not been the same since I first apply for TR and we can't wait to see where it will take us next! From academics to engineers, you're sure to find your "people" in Tulsa. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Sen and I didn't visit Tulsa right away. Grab your laptop and take a break with dozens of choices around town. Aside from the $10,000 disbursed as a house down payment or over time Tulsa Remote members also get assistance with house hunting, access to co-working spaces and weekly social and . The standard answer is that knowledge-sector jobs that can be done remotely are high-paying and tend to have spillovers to the local community at least when housing costs dont rise enough to cancel out those benefits. In 2018, the George Kaiser Family Foundation launched Tulsa Remote, a program for people who can do their jobs from anywhere in the country. Wear some pants and always make direct eye contact!! What Our Members Are Saying I applied the day after apps opened and haven't heard back :( will email them. Initially, 100 slots were available, and the program administrators figured they might get 1,000 total applications. I just got accepted and am looking for advice on where to move. Yes. . Tulsa Remote is an incentive program offering $10,000 to out-of-state remote workers who move to Oklahoma. Do I still qualify? Sen & I live in Downtown Tulsa, where we can walk to most places. Glassdoor We were still hesitant since we'd never even been to Oklahoma. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. While the Oklahoma state population has increased 14 percent since 2000, Tulsa's population growth has been sluggish, according to Census data. From free coworking space to inspiring educational experiences, our program is designed to make you feel at home from your first day here. Our ideal candidate is open to calling Tulsa their home long-term and meets our core eligibility requirements: Full-time remote employment or self-employed outside Oklahoma. In other words, if you get a job in Tulsa, you don't qualify for the cash. Less like a job interview, more like a first date. The researchers estimate that one new full-time job was created in Tulsa for every two Remoters who moved there. A program paid workers $10,000 to relocate to Tulsa. Tulsa has seen unparalleled investments to public space for a city of its size. People are really kind and genuinely interested in each other in Tulsa too. We submitted our application for the apartment, put down a deposit, and moved in Mid-May 2021. Are there any age restrictions to apply for the Tulsa Remote program? There is no deadline at this point, but we might close the application at any time, so people should apply now, said Bolzle. They get 1,000 applications a week and interview 200-300 candidates on Zoom. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Any advice for the interview?? I got an email from Tulsa Remote about a week later notifying me that I am a semifinalist and am advancing to the next step with a video interview that happened within the same week. The City of Tulsa and other community organizations lend their support to ensure program participants are fully immersed and engaged in the community. Press J to jump to the feed. I applied the day apps open and was notified yesterday I am semi finalist. The answer seems to be they have more time to do almost everything, he said in an interview, because they spend less time commuting. But what makes Tulsa's program unique is its focus on remote workers. Over the last four years, more than 2,000 people have moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma because of Tulsa Remote, a program sponsored by the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) that pays remote workers $10,000 to move. Which makes most of us super open to meeting new people and new like-minded friends. While the program is only a one-year commitment, the ideal candidate is open to calling Tulsa their home long-term. This is when we finally decided to make the move. We created Tulsa Remote to enhance Tulsa's talented and successful workforce community by bringing diverse, bright and driven individuals to the city for community building, collaboration and networking. It was intriguing to see how Black entrepreneurs were building back up Tulsa, as a Black entrepreneur and founder myself, says Law, who was invited to be one of 842 members of Tulsa Remotes 2021 cohort. h._hjSettings={hjid:1812585,hjsv:6}; I do think it had. Because of our experience here, we decided in late 2021 to apply for the State-approved Incubator Program at 36 Degree Northwith our companyEvolusenand got in (more on that in another post)! Because the people in the city were super welcoming everywhere we went. In my opinion, one of the biggest perks of Tulsa Remote is the community the team has built. You have full-time remote employment or are self-employed outside of Oklahoma. Remote Work Program Opportunity lives in Tulsa. Tomm and her husband had decided their family needed a change after some personal tragedies.