Minnesota doesnt have a monopoly on being nice.
Across the board, Midwesterners are known for their generally pleasant self-effacing manners.
We set high expectations for ourselves and when met, we dont make a show of it.
And while commendable, anyone in public relations will tell you thats a losing strategy.
Kansas, according to a recent survey, needs to put some strut in its step.
According to the moving company United Van Lines, Kansas is witnessing an exodus, putting it among the top five states for outbound moves.
The biggest decline is from those leaving for out-of-state jobs. Retirees also are seeking other places to ride out their personal sunsets.
So whats our competition?
Vermont, of all states.
Even though its considerably more rural, colder, cloudier, and wetter, little Vermont is beating the socks off the rest of the country by having the highest percentage of inbound moves for 2018.
Oh, percentage.
Vermont is just shy of 624,000 people. So it doesnt take much to move the statistical needle.
This fact is not lost on Vermonters who, in fact, are attempting to lure out-of-staters with cold, hard cash.
Beginning this year, Vermont will award up to $10,000 over two years for newcomers to relocate to the Green Mountain State.
Vermont has allocated $500,000 for the program specifically geared for younger workers who can work remotely for an out-of-state business while calling Vermont home.
While we arent so crass as to call it cash, our incentives through the Rural Opportunity Zones operate much in the same vein.
