Wayne County just met its latest goal to recruit 20 new workers to move here from out-of-state by Sept. 1, but finding desirable housing has been the workers’ biggest challenge in making that choice, economic development leaders say.
During their Aug. 3 board meeting, Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County leaders discussed whether to offer another round of the Make My Move incentive program or pause.
Last week, EDC told WWN it had received the final acceptances to move here by Sept. 1.
Fifty movers, a mix of remote and in-person workers, have been approved through the program, which includes a $5,000 incentive. EDC began the program in 2022 with 10 offers. The program began with remote workers, but has expanded to help local businesses recruit employees.
A total of 98 people (67 adults and 31 children) are moving to the county through Make My Move. They earn an average household income of $118,000, which offers an estimated annual economic impact of $3.7 million. When the county reaches new-resident goals, it receives state reimbursement.
Commissioner Brad Dwenger opposed Wayne County’s entering the Make My Move program to attract remote workers to the county. Now, though, in the final month of the current contract, he said he’s among the program’s biggest fans.
“For me, I think it’s a great program,” Dwenger said during an Aug. 5 Wayne County commissioners meeting. “We must continue it.”
Four of the recent movers came from Cincinnati and nearby Covington, Kentucky, along with Nevada and Georgia. The top five states of origin are Florida, Ohio, California, Illinois and Kentucky.
Their job fields include engineering, business, information technology and health care.
EDC president Valerie Shaffer spoke with Make My Move about ways the organization could ease the program’s burden on EDC staff, who connect prospects with housing and employers. Housing has provided a challenge, Shaffer said, and securing rental properties for prospects has been especially difficult as few landlords will accept pets. Families with children aren’t finding enough bedrooms.
The expansion of Chester Heights Apartments and construction of 6Main apartments will provide new options, she said. Movers also receive information about rural Wayne County housing, which some have chosen. They can secure temporary housing before finding their long-term home.
“I think it’s been a great program for us,” Commissioner Jeff Plasterer said. “I would encourage you to continue it, but remember that if things need to change, if your staffing needs to change, let’s start those discussions as well.”
Plasterer also encouraged looking at the possibility the program could — with or without state support — extend to Indiana movers, as well.
During the EDC board meeting, Shaffer suggested taking a break from the program when the contract ends and waiting for more housing to open before rejoining in 2028.
EDC would need to secure additional incentive funding approval from county government and get recommitments from community partners who provide memberships and other amenities.
However, some EDC board members expressed concern that a gap of even a few months until the 6Main apartments possibly open in November or December would reduce the community’s visibility compared to other Indiana cities along with potential candidates’ confidence in the program.
Dwenger echoed that sentiment during the Aug. 5 commissioners meeting.
“I would really hate to see this program go away, because, again, if we’re not growing, we’re dying,” Dwenger said. “We’ve lost population — Wayne County — for years. This is one thing that’s actually working to bring people to Wayne County.”
A version of this article will appear in the August 12 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
