JREDC Program Offers Up to $5,000 to Move to Morgan or Scott County
The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corp announced a second round of its Make My Move program on November 3, 2025, offering up to $5,000 in cash to qualifying applicants who relocate to Morgan or Scott counties. The incentive targets professionals earning at least $70,000 who live at least 70 miles away, and it could influence housing demand, local hiring, and tax revenues for Morgan County residents.
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The Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corp launched the second round of its Make My Move talent attraction program on November 3, 2025, expanding incentives designed to bring new residents to Morgan and Scott counties. The program offers qualifying applicants up to $5,000 in cash to relocate, with priority given to people who take local jobs. Remote workers may also qualify under the rules.
Eligibility rules are explicit. Applicants must be earning at least $70,000 annually and must live at least 70 miles away at the time they apply. Relocants are required to move their primary residence to Morgan or Scott counties within six months of applying. To receive the full cash incentive applicants must remain county residents for at least one year. The first round of the program previously attracted several families to the region, providing an early test of the program s recruitment and retention mechanics.
For Morgan County residents the program is likely to produce a mix of short term and longer term impacts. In the short term new arrivals with outside incomes can boost spending at local retailers and restaurants, and increase demand for professional services. Given the $70,000 earnings threshold the program is targeting mid level professionals, which could help fill skill gaps at local employers and reduce recruitment costs for businesses seeking experienced workers.
There are likely to be measurable effects on the housing market. An influx of relocating professionals could tighten supply in segments of the market that appeal to these households, putting upward pressure on prices and rents unless housing supply responds. For municipal finances the net impact will depend on retention beyond the one year incentive period, the tax status of new residents, and how much additional income is spent locally versus saved or spent online.
From a policy perspective the program follows a broader pattern of local economic development leaders using direct financial incentives to compete for a mobile workforce. The program s effectiveness will hinge on several metrics including the number of qualified applicants, the share who accept local employment, and retention rates at one year and beyond. Local officials will also need to consider complementary policies such as housing availability, school capacity, and broadband access to maximize the long term returns from the investment.
For now the Make My Move program offers a clear signal that regional leaders are prioritizing population and workforce growth as part of their economic strategy. Morgan County stands to gain new taxpayers and consumers, but community leaders and residents will want to track applicant outcomes and housing and labor market indicators to assess whether the short term incentives translate into sustained economic gains.