Pretty Appalachian city is offering $20,000 to 10 people willing to move there

A breathtaking town in western Maryland is offering 10 homeowners $20,000 to move there. The only condition is that they are willing to invest in their homes and become part of the community.

Once known as the state’s “Queen City,” Cumberland’s streets are paved with brick and the skyline is dotted with church steeples.

Situated on the North Branch of the Potomac River, the Appalachian wonderland was once an industrial center, with a population of 40,000 in 1940.

But after the glass and tire factories closed and the railroad became redundant, the population fell to just 19,000. Another worrying trend is that a fifth of the population lives in poverty.

To save the city from ruin, Mayor Raymond Morris and other officials launched the Choose Cumberland Relocation Program.

Thanks to this initiative, 10 people who move to this picturesque paradise will receive $20,000 for their efforts.

“It’s really about attracting people who will benefit your community,” Cumberland City Councilwoman Laurie Marchini told the Washington Post.

“It’s not a social services program. It’s designed to bring in people who have jobs,” she added.

As part of the program, the city will provide the new homeowners with $10,000 in cash.

An additional $10,000 in matching funds will be available for renovations and down payments. The money will come from a $100,000 grant from Maryland’s Community Legacy program, which supports efforts to revitalize declining cities.

The registration period opened last week. It closes on Tuesday.

To qualify, people must agree to invest in their home and participate in the wider community.

In addition, the 10 people must commit to staying in Cumberland for five years. In the application, individuals are asked about their work, interests, hobbies and, most importantly, why they chose the city.

Situated on the North Branch of the Potomac River, the Appalachian wonderland was once an industrial center and had a population of 40,000 in 1940.

While some critics argue that the money should be spent on current Cumberland residents, Mayor Morris has said the city already provides financial benefits to residents.

Similar financial benefits are offered across the country to people who want to move to a particular city or urban area.

In Oklahoma, a program in Tulsa hopes to attract out-of-state residents by offering $10,000 to renters and homeowners who work remotely full-time. A similar initiative in Rochester, New York, entices potential movers with grants of up to $9,000.

With the relocation program, Cumberland leaders hope to address the persistent problem of population decline.

They want to do this by addressing the exodus of remote workers from cities, a trend that was fueled by the pandemic and was called a “silver lining” by Mayor Morris.

“A lot of people left the rat race and came out to enjoy the outdoor recreation and lifestyle available here,” he told the Washington Post.

“We looked for ways to continue that,” the mayor added.

To save the city from ruin, Mayor Raymond Morris and other officials launched the Choose Cumberland Relocation Program

They’ve also made other efforts to revitalize their community, encouraging growth along the brick-paved Baltimore Street, where new businesses like taco restaurants and ice cream parlors have sprung up.

A new River Park is planned along the Potomac with a whitewater course, boat access and a walking trail. Millions of dollars in local, state and federal funds will finance the project.

Julia McCoy, president and CEO of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, told the Washington Post that the city is on the verge of a renaissance.

“I’ve been working downtown for 20 years and this is the most exciting thing I’ve ever experienced,” she said.