This Wisconsin City Is Offering Up to $9,500 to Qualified Newcomers Who Are Willing to Move There
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, wants new neighbors, and it’s willing to pay for them. Envision Greater Fond du Lac, the county’s economic development group, has launched a program offering qualified newcomers up to $9,500 to relocate. The initiative makes Fond du Lac the first Wisconsin community to join MakeMyMove, a national platform that helps towns recruit workers and families through relocation incentives.
The $9,500 Breaks Down Into Cash and Local Perks
The incentive package is split into two parts. Newcomers who qualify receive a $5,500 cash stipend to help cover moving costs, plus roughly $4,000 in local memberships and experiences. Those perks include a Fond du Lac Family YMCA membership, golf benefits, VIP access to arts and cultural attractions, Fond du Lac Dock Spiders baseball experiences, library passes and dining opportunities around the county.
Not Everyone Qualifies for the Relocation Offer
Not everyone will qualify, and the requirements are specific. Applicants must be at least 18, currently live outside Wisconsin, and have a household income of at least $55,000 a year. Selected participants must relocate their primary residence to Fond du Lac County and commit to staying at least one year. Envision Greater Fond du Lac says applicants must also pass a criminal background check before receiving any incentives.
Two Paths Exist for Remote and Local Workers
Applicants land on one of two tracks, depending on their job situation. Remote workers can apply without changing employers, while those seeking local jobs must secure full-time employment in Fond du Lac County first. Once approved, local coordinators guide participants through the moving process and connect them with community resources after they arrive. Applicants choose whichever track fits their situation when they apply through the MakeMyMove platform.
A State Grant Covers Most of the Program’s Cost
The initiative costs nearly $500,000 total. Of that, $346,000 comes from Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ $5 million Talent Recruitment Grant program, administered through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Envision Greater Fond du Lac matched the remainder, contributing $120,000 of its own funding to launch the county’s new MakeMyMove partnership. The Wisconsin State Legislature created the statewide grant to help communities recruit working-age households as competition for talent grows nationwide.
An Aging Population Is Driving the Push
County leaders point to demographics as the underlying concern. About one in five Fond du Lac County residents is 65 or older, and officials say the county could see population decline within two decades without intervention. “Our businesses want to grow in Fond du Lac County,” said Sadie Howell, president and CEO of Envision Greater Fond du Lac. “But growth requires people.”
Envision Hopes to Land 32 New Households
Envision Greater Fond du Lac has put a specific number on its ambitions: 32 out-of-state households moving to the county within two years, brought in through its MakeMyMove partnership. Howell said every new household contributes to the local economy. By purchasing homes, renting apartments, shopping at local businesses, paying property and sales taxes, enrolling children in schools, volunteering, and becoming part of the community.
MakeMyMove’s Co-Founder Sees an Affordability Pitch
MakeMyMove Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Evan Hock said the program targets people ready for a change, not just job seekers. He noted many applicants are looking to buy a first home or start a family, and said communities like Fond du Lac stand out for offering that affordability compared to larger metro areas. Hock said that a lower cost of living resonates with people rethinking where they want to live and work.
Lake Winnebago Anchors the Lifestyle Pitch
Beyond paychecks, organizers are selling a lifestyle. Fond du Lac sits on Lake Winnebago, offering year-round fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and ice skating, along with the annual Sturgeon Spectacular winter festival. Residents often call the city “Fondy.” Howell said local coordinators also help newcomers build connections, from dinner companions to golf partners, churches and schools, aiming to make the transition feel personal rather than purely transactional.
The Incentive Is One Piece of a Larger Strategy
Officials describe the relocation program as one part of a broader workforce plan that also includes housing initiatives, childcare advocacy, career development, and support for local employers. “We’re focused on the next 20 years, not just the next two,” Howell said, adding that the goal is keeping Fond du Lac County economically strong for future generations. The county is betting the effort pays off well beyond its first participants.