At a time when rural regions across the U.S. are struggling to attract young professionals, the states of Kansas and Vermont have used public dollars to fight “brain drain” by offering grants and tax breaks to professional workers who settle in small towns.

If an eastern Montana lawmaker has his way, Montana could soon follow suit.

Rep. Joel Krautter, R-Sidney, has introduced House Bill 405, which would offer recent college graduates between $5,000 and $15,000 apiece if they commit to living and working in a qualifying county for five years. The bill would also offer grantees a property tax credit of up to $2,000 a year for five years.

By Eric Dietrich

https://www.montanafreepress.org/kansas-and-vermont-pay-college-grads-to-move-to-small-towns-montana-could-follow-suit/

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The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana