By Rob Wolfe, Town Manager, Town of Cheraw
Like many rural communities, the Town of Cheraw is facing a dilemma. On one hand, it is a beautiful town full of great people, a vibrant historic district with charming architecture, unique local businesses and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities along the scenic Pee Dee River. On the other hand, the town has recently faced population decline. To capitalize on local assets and foster economic growth, Cheraw partnered with the Rural Growth Initiative to launch Cheraw Remote, a pilot program designed to attract remote workers by leveraging the shift toward remote employment following the COVID-19 pandemic and the statewide expansion of high-speed internet. The underlying idea was that urban residents with remote jobs might consider relocating to smaller communities, provided those communities could effectively capture their attention.
Many may remember the media buzz surrounding Tulsa Remote in 2020, a program offering remote workers $10,000 to relocate to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Without the resources to offer similar monetary incentives, Cheraw needed to differentiate itself creatively. After internal discussions, it became clear that Tulsa Remote’s success was driven more by media attention than the financial incentive itself. Realistically, a high-income remote worker was unlikely to move solely for a $10,000 bonus; however, Tulsa gained valuable mindshare among individuals already considering relocation. Cheraw sought a similar impact — without the high cost.
The solution was to partner with Timothy Sinclair, a marketing firm that helped craft and launch the Cheraw Remote brand. Our unique hook was offering a highly personalized introduction to the community from me as the town manager, including a welcoming phone call, a guided town tour and even a dinner invitation. Targeted digital ads were placed in key markets such as Charlotte, strategically focusing on Cheraw’s strengths: an affordable cost of living, outstanding local amenities, abundant outdoor activities and a friendly small-town atmosphere that invites genuine community engagement — a notable contrast to the anonymity often experienced in large cities.
The response to Cheraw Remote exceeded initial expectations. Ultimately, I conducted around 70 personalized phone calls to potential relocators. Even as a modest pilot with limited investment, this outreach was highly effective: approximately 20% of contacts represented genuinely interested individuals eager to learn more about Cheraw. At least three families visited to explore the community firsthand, resulting in one verbal commitment to relocate. Additionally, one individual — who had not been directly contacted but was influenced by the targeted ads — has committed to moving to Cheraw in the summer of 2025.
Overall, Cheraw Remote successfully demonstrated the power of targeted marketing and personalized community engagement as affordable, impactful strategies for rural revitalization.
Annual Meeting to Discuss Attracting Remote Workers
The Town of Cheraw team will be among those presenting during the Municipal Association’s 2025 Annual Meeting, addressing their initiative to attract remote workers.
The Annual Meeting will take place July 17 – 20 at the Hilton Beachfront Resort on Hilton Head Island. Download the Association’s app from the App Store or Google Play by searching for “Municipal Association of SC.” All meeting registrations must be complete by July 3.