Lawrence Positions Itself as a Hub for Remote Tech Workers
The university town of Lawrence is courting remote technology workers with coworking spaces, incentives, and a growing amenities scene.
Lawrence, home to the state's flagship university, is positioning itself as a landing spot for remote technology workers, betting that its walkable downtown and college-town amenities can draw talent that might otherwise cluster in bigger cities.
City boosters and private developers have opened coworking spaces and are marketing the town's relatively affordable housing and cultural offerings. Some remote workers who studied at the university have returned or stayed after realizing they could keep coast-based salaries while living in Kansas.
"You can have a career in software and still bike to a farmers market on Saturday," said one founder who relocated a small team to Lawrence. Local officials are studying modest incentives to encourage the trend.
Economists caution that remote-work migration is unpredictable, but say even a small influx of high earners can lift a local economy.
