Northwest Arkansas Offers $ 10,000 In Bitcoin To Attract Remote Workers

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The Northwest Arkansas Council, made up of business leaders aimed at promoting development in the region, announced a crypto incentive program to attract tech professionals and entrepreneurs eager to work at distance.

In an announcement on Wednesday, board chairman and chief executive Nelson Peacock said the region would look to expand its range of talent in the tech industry by offering $ 10,000 in Bitcoin (BTC) – around 0 , 23 BTC at the current price of $ 43,610 – plus a bike or arts and cultural facility membership. The ‘Bitcoin and a Bike’ program, the next step in the region’s Life Works Here initiative, is specifically aimed at onboarding professionals in blockchain-related fields. The program will offer the crypto incentive to eligible individuals wishing to live for at least a year in Northwest Arkansas – presumably near the towns of Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville.

“Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and we’re now seeing more explosive growth in our tech sector,” Peacock said.

“This extended incentive offer […] not only embraces the growing trend of using cryptocurrency as a payment option by employers, but also helps grow our talent pool for the benefit of tech employers, startups, cities, local businesses and of the region in general. Bentonville, Arkansas from above. Source: Northwest Arkansas Council

Requirements for applicants include the ability to work remotely, relocate to the region within six months of acceptance, and two years of experience in their current position in the technology industry. Northwest Arkansas is already home to the headquarters of large retailer Walmart in Bentonville – the Walton Family Foundation contributes to the Bitcoin and a Bike program and Walmart founder Sam Walton was a founding board member – as well as the Blockchain Center of at the University of Arkansas. Excellence, offering training in blockchain-based technology.

“Next-generation talent is essential to further transform our region into a hub for emerging businesses and technology innovators,” said Mary Lacity, Director of the Blockchain Center of Excellence.

Numerous reports have apparently presented Northwest Arkansas as an alternative to growing US tech hubs like Austin, Texas – as the number of businesses in the city has grown dramatically over the past year. year, the growing interest has led to an increase in rents and housing costs. . It may be premature to see an exodus to the Midwestern state, but companies including electric vehicle maker Canoo have announced plans to set up a head office in the state’s northwest region. .

Related: Walmart Seeks A Crypto Product Manager To Drive Its Digital Currency Strategy

Before and during the pandemic, many mid-sized US cities offered similar programs with cash incentives for transplants to work remotely, apparently in an effort to promote the local economy. The NWA board launched the Life Works Here initiative in November 2020, but Tulsa, Oklahoma was one of the first to offer some people $ 10,000 to relocate from 2018, with areas from West Virginia, Kansas, Vermont, Connecticut and Alabama following his lead. .

Disclosure: This reporter applied for the Bitcoin and a Bike program.

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