Eastern Kentucky’s relocation program offers rare perk for working spouses

Partners Get Paid to Fill Local Jobs

If you work from home and earn at least $70,000 a year, Eastern Kentucky wants to pay you to relocate. The EKY Remote program hands remote workers $5,000 in cash to move to Appalachia.

But here is the twist that most relocation programs do not offer: if your spouse takes a nursing or teaching job in the region, you get an extra $2,500.

The spouse bonus targets two fields where Eastern Kentucky struggles to find workers, and it gives relocating families a reason to stay.

More Than 30 Counties Qualify for the Program

The eligible zone covers a significant chunk of the state.

More than 30 Eastern Kentucky counties participate in EKY Remote, including Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Floyd, Harlan, Knox, Laurel, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, and others.

That includes small towns like Pikeville, Hazard, and Prestonsburg, plus rural areas where the nearest neighbor might be a mile down the road.

You pick where you want to live, and as long as it falls within the program boundaries, you qualify for the cash.

You Need a Remote Job Already

EKY Remote is not a job placement program.

You have to show up with remote work in hand. The requirements say your job must be full-time and completely remote. You must currently live outside Kentucky, and you must earn at least $70,000 per year.

The program wants people who bring outside income into local economies.

Spouses Unlock $2,500 Extra for Certain Jobs

Here is where the program gets creative.

If your partner takes a full-time job in healthcare or education within the region, you collect an additional $2,500. That means a relocating couple could walk away with $7,500 total.

The bonus exists because Eastern Kentucky hospitals and schools have been looking for staff.

A spouse willing to work as a nurse, teacher, or school administrator helps fill gaps in the region.

Welcome Package Comes With the Deal

The cash is not the only perk.

EKY Remote participants get a customized welcome package worth $250 tailored to their interests—whether that’s culinary experiences, historical tours, outdoor adventures, or arts and entertainment.

Eastern Kentucky sits in the Appalachian Mountains, with trails, rivers, and forests that draw hikers and kayakers from across the country.

Coworking Spaces Replace the Home Office

Working remotely does not mean working alone.

The program offers access to co-working spaces in Eastern Kentucky.

These shared offices give you fast internet, meeting rooms, and a place to work that is not your kitchen table.

SOAR Runs This Program

The organization behind EKY Remote is called SOAR, which stands for Shaping Our Appalachian Region.

SOAR is a Pikeville-based nonprofit that was founded in 2013 to address economic challenges facing Eastern Kentucky after the decline of the coal industry.

EKY Remote is one of several programs SOAR operates to attract new residents and create jobs in the region.

Dozens Have Already Relocated

The program is not just a concept.

According to SOAR, more than 60 families from 28 states have already packed up and moved to Eastern Kentucky through EKY Remote.

Many say they bought homes in Eastern Kentucky for a fraction of what a down payment would cost in their old cities.

Applications Stay Open All Year

Unlike some relocation programs that only accept applications during certain windows, EKY Remote takes applicants year-round.

You apply through MakeMyMove, submit proof of your remote job and income, and wait to hear back. If selected, you have six months to complete your move.

That timeline gives you enough room to wrap up a lease, sell a house, or figure out logistics without rushing into a decision you are not ready for.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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