Columbus, GA: Curating Connections and Treating New Residents Like VIPs

As cities across the country seek innovative ways to attract new residents, Columbus, Georgia, has emerged as a standout example of how community engagement, strategic marketing and personalized outreach can create meaningful growth. Recognized for its efforts, Columbus has been named one of MakeMyMove’s Most Welcoming Places Award winners for 2024—a testament to the city’s commitment to welcoming remote workers and new residents.

So, what sets Columbus apart? According to local leaders, it’s the city’s ability to offer a unique blend of an affordable cost of living, a strong sense of community, and a balanced lifestyle that includes recreational activities, excellent schools, and a thriving arts scene. Through the MakeMyMove initiative, Columbus has taken a hands-on approach to showcasing its strengths—ensuring that newcomers don’t just move, but truly feel at home.

A Strategic Collaboration for Growth

The journey to this recognition began when Columbus teamed up with MakeMyMove, an organization dedicated to connecting remote workers with communities offering relocation incentives. The partnership was no spur-of-the-moment decision. As Tabetha Getz, Executive Director, Columbus 2025, recalled, “We’d first heard of another city offering relocation incentives for remote workers in 2019 and were interested in bringing something similar to Columbus. So, when we connected with MakeMyMove, it was perfect timing. We already had talent attraction as a major initiative, and this fit right into our broader strategy.”

Columbus had long been focused on attracting new talent through various initiatives, including a robust marketing campaign and the launch of AmazingColumbusGA.com, which highlights the city’s work, live, and play opportunities. MakeMyMove provides a direct incentive program that specifically targets remote workers. “Working with MakeMyMove allowed us to tap into an existing pool of talent and leverage a platform that had already been proven successful,” Getz said.

The Personal Touch: A Hands-On Approach to Relocation

One of the most distinctive features of Columbus’ relocation initiative is its highly personalized approach. Unlike many other communities that rely purely on applications and eligibility checklists, Columbus integrates personal interviews and direct engagement into the selection process. Kylie Grilla, Project Manager, Columbus 2025 manages the mover pipeline and emphasized the importance of these interactions: “We conduct phone interviews with every applicant, nearly 30 this month. It's a significant time commitment, but it's essential for us to understand not just why they want to move to Columbus, but also how we can help them integrate into our community and build a meaningful life here.”

This hands-on process ensures that Columbus is attracting individuals who genuinely want to build a life in the community. By prioritizing quality over quantity, the program helps reduce turnover and ensures that movers are a strong fit for the Columbus community. "We believe in building personal connections, not just reviewing applications," Grilla said. "That's why we take the time to interview each person, understand their story, and ensure they'll thrive in Columbus before extending an offer.”

Once the movers arrive, Columbus continues to go above and beyond to help them integrate. The city’s “Columbus Connectors” program plays a crucial role in this process, pairing newcomers with longtime residents who share similar interests or career backgrounds. “These are passionate Columbus residents who want to welcome new people and help them find their place in the city,” Grilla explained. “We like to connect each mover with three local connectors, making it easier for them to build friendships and professional networks right away.”

Additionally, Columbus provides welcome boxes filled with local goodies, return address stamps to symbolize their new home, and connections to realtors who are willing to assist not just with home purchases but with rentals as well. These thoughtful touches help create a sense of belonging from the moment movers arrive.

The city also hosts a “mover mixer,” where new residents meet each other and local leaders, including business stakeholders and city officials. “Our new movers are like local celebrities,” Getz said. “They’re not just moving here; they’re becoming a part of something bigger. Our community is invested in their ability to succeed in Columbus.”

Retention Is the Key to Long-Term Success

One of the biggest challenges in relocation initiatives is retention—ensuring that new residents don’t simply leave after receiving their incentives. Columbus has tackled this issue head-on by fostering deep relationships with movers from the beginning. “Because we take the time to get to know them, we can anticipate their needs and provide support when they need it,” Grilla noted. “We’ve already had movers buy homes, get involved in the arts community, and even start families here.”

For example, one of Columbus’ movers joined the board of the Springer Opera House, a local cultural institution that had shaped her childhood. Another mover, who relocated while pregnant, recently welcomed Columbus’ first ‘mover baby’—a milestone that underscores the program’s ability to attract long-term residents.

Will Bishop is another example, he moved back to Columbus with his family and is enjoying the growth and changes the community has experienced in recent years. “I was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, says Will. “Before I moved back, I lived in Nashville for seven years and spent two years in Tucker, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. Columbus is a very different place than it was when I left nine years ago — it's grown a lot. It's thriving..”

Read more about Will’s move here

Lessons for Other Communities

Columbus’ success offers valuable lessons for other communities looking to replicate its model. As Getz advised, “Taking a personalized approach is key. We implement a longer recruitment process to ensure Columbus is a great fit for the movers before they commit.”

Another crucial factor is educating the local community on why relocation incentives matter. “The key is explaining how talent attraction benefits everyone—more residents mean a stronger economy, more businesses, and a more vibrant city,” said Getz.

Looking Ahead

With its first year of success behind it, Columbus is already thinking about expansion. The city aims to double the size of its relocation program in its next cohort and further develop its retention strategies. “This award just validates that we were on the right track all along,” said Getz. “We’re excited to keep growing and making our incentive program one of the best in the country.”

Columbus’ recognition as one of MakeMyMove’s Most Welcoming Places Award winners is well-earned. Through strategic planning, a commitment to personalized engagement, and a focus on long-term integration, the city has set a high bar for welcoming remote workers and making them feel at home. As other communities look to emulate this success, Columbus stands as a shining example of what’s possible when relocation efforts are done right.