This Wisconsin County Is Offering New Residents Up to $9,500 to Move There

Fond du Lac County says the program is aimed at attracting working households as the area faces long-term workforce concerns.

The relocation program is being offered through MakeMyMove in partnership with Envision Greater Fond du Lac and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. It is aimed at attracting working households from outside Wisconsin, with separate tracks for people seeking full-time local employment and remote workers.

The package includes a $5,500 cash relocation stipend, plus local perks and experiences that bring the total value to $9,500. Those perks include a Fond du Lac Family YMCA membership, golf packages, Fond du Lac Dock Spiders ballpark experience, arts access, restaurant perks, farm experiences, and other community benefits.

The program is part of a broader workforce attraction effort. Envision Greater Fond du Lac says workforce sustainability is one of the county’s most urgent challenges, noting that about one in five Fond du Lac County residents is 65 or older.

Envision Greater Fond du Lac received a $346,000 state talent attraction grant and committed another $120,000 of its own funding to support the program. The goal is to bring 32 new households from outside Wisconsin to live and work in Fond du Lac County.

Eligibility depends on the program track.

For the local work program, applicants must be at least 18 years old, currently live outside Wisconsin, have an annual household income of at least $55,000, and secure full-time employment in Fond du Lac County. Participants must also commit to living in the county for at least one year and provide employment and residency documentation.

The remote worker program is also open to applicants living outside Wisconsin with a household income of at least $55,000. Eligible remote workers must relocate their primary residence to Fond du Lac County within six months and provide proof that they meet the program requirements.

Fond du Lac sits on the southern end of Lake Winnebago and offers a smaller-city lifestyle with access to outdoor recreation, local events, restaurants, schools, and employers. The county is also within driving distance of Oshkosh, Appleton, and Milwaukee.

The local perks reflect that community focus. New residents may receive access to golf, fitness, arts, minor league baseball, library perks, restaurant experiences, farm tours, youth programs, and professional networking opportunities.

Fond du Lac County is not the only place using relocation incentives to attract new residents. MakeMyMove lists programs across the country, including offers in Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, and other communities trying to recruit remote workers, local job seekers, and new households.

The idea has also gained traction overseas. In Italy, Trentino made headlines for offering up to €100,000 to people willing to move there and renovate abandoned homes, though the money comes with major conditions.

Still, Fond du Lac’s offer is directly tied to Wisconsin’s workforce needs. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation announced $5 million in Talent Recruitment Grants in May 2026 to support projects that attract out-of-state workers to Wisconsin communities.

For anyone already considering a move to Wisconsin, the program could be worth reviewing. Applications are being handled through MakeMyMove, where applicants can check whether they qualify and start the process.

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