More Than a Move
Texarkana, USA, has been named one of “America’s Most Welcoming Places” by the MakeMyMove platform. The reason has very little to do with geography and everything to do with people. While communities across the country are competing for talent, Texarkana is doing something different. It is creating connection and belonging, and in doing so, it is quietly redefining what economic growth can look like. It has leaned in and welcomed the shift by inviting the nation to take a closer look at a place that has always been full of opportunity and connection. That invitation is called REDI…Set…Move.
Launched in May 2024 by AR-TX REDI in partnership with the Cities of Texarkana, REDI…Set…Move is a talent attraction initiative designed for a new era of work, one where careers may be remote, but community still matters. Built in collaboration with the MakeMyMove platform, the program attracts high-earning remote professionals and entrepreneurs who could live anywhere but intentionally choose Texarkana. Through relocation incentives and hands-on support, the program introduces new residents not just to a city, but to a way of life.
“We are a unique community where residents can choose to live in either Arkansas or Texas,” said President and CEO of AR-TX REDI, Rob Sitterley. “But what makes Texarkana truly special goes well beyond geography. It’s the spirit of collaboration, the strength of our people, and the shared vision for a vibrant community that sets us apart. With a rich history and a deep sense of community, Texarkana isn’t just a place on the map. It’s a place where opportunity and quality of life come together in a way you won’t find anywhere else.”
What began as a modest pilot program quickly exceeded expectations. The initial goal was to recruit 10 families in the first year. That number has already doubled. Since its inception, more than 20 families have officially relocated to Texarkana through the program, prompting leaders to raise the annual target to 20 families per year. That growth was made possible through the generous support of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and the Patterson Troike Foundation, partners who understood that welcoming people is one of the smartest long-term investments a community can make.
The national response has been striking. Nearly 10,000 applications have been submitted through MakeMyMove. More than 1,400 candidates have been pre-qualified. Over 330 offers have been extended, with 118 accepted, and 25 families have officially relocated. Interest continues to surge, with nearly 600,000 unique users exploring Texarkana online and more than 1.7 million impressions introducing the region to a national audience.
But numbers alone do not explain why people choose Texarkana. “What we hear most consistently is that people are genuinely wanted here, not just recruited,” Sitterley said. “From the first conversation, we are intentional about personal connection and setting expectations that this is not a transactional program.”
That distinction matters. REDI…Set…Move was built on the belief that relocation is only the beginning. Community engagement is not optional. It is foundational. Participants are not handed a checklist or redirected to a website. They are introduced to people, institutions, and opportunities on both sides of the state line. “We are clear that REDI…Set…Move is about community engagement as much as relocation,” Sitterley said. “Getting involved locally is not an afterthought. It is part of how participants are selected and welcomed.”
That approach is one reason the program has drawn attention well beyond the region. “People are moving to find quality of life and community connection,” said Evan Hock, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of MakeMyMove. “REDI’s talent attraction program sets itself apart by investing in new residents’ success after they arrive. Between the tuition discounts and the local networking, this program is built for long-term impact, benefitting both the mover and the community. That’s why it’s working.”
One of the organizations making that long-term impact possible is The Assembly Line, Texarkana’s future creator space, which will serve as a landing pad for new residents and a hub for innovation in the community. Dr. Brandy Eldridge, Director of The Assembly Line, sees the partnership with REDI as a powerful combination of big-picture strategy and personal connection.
“The partnership between The Assembly Line and REDI has officially turned Texarkana into a premier talent magnet,” Eldridge said. “While REDI excels at the macro-level of economic development, attracting major industries and building large-scale infrastructure, The Assembly Line is uniquely equipped to focus on the human element, bringing and keeping the talent. Because our mission is centered on innovation and cultivating a vibrant community, our partnership with the REDI…Set…Move initiative ensures a smooth, welcoming experience for every new resident. Together, we are not just creating jobs. We are building a home for the next generation of innovators.”
Lower cost of living also plays a major role. Many participants are coming from high-cost markets and recognize that their dollar stretches further in Texarkana than in most parts of the South. The flexibility of choosing between Arkansas and Texas while living in one unified community across Bowie and Miller counties also adds another layer of appeal that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Ultimately, the feedback comes down to three things: affordability, access, and authenticity.
That sense of belonging shows up quickly once families arrive. New residents are renting apartments, buying homes, enrolling children in local schools, supporting local businesses, and joining civic organizations. They are showing up!
One of those families is Ayoola and Garrett Sherman, who relocated from New Mexico with their three children. Ayoola works remotely in corporate healthcare compliance, while Garrett now serves as Athletic Director for the Texarkana Arkansas School District, a role that aligns with his passion for education and student development. “What stands out is how seamlessly the entire family has integrated,” Sitterley said. “Their children are thriving academically and socially, and they are already making meaningful connections through school, athletics, and community activities. The parents are engaged, visible, and invested. They didn’t just move here for incentives,” he added. “They moved here to build a life.”
That outcome is exactly what the program was designed to create. Another example is Melanie Daniel, a Tennessee native who had never lived anywhere else before moving to Texarkana. “It has been quite the experience for this Tennessee girl,” Daniel said. “I have had such great opportunities to get involved in the community since I moved here. From judging a live line dancing competition, to participating in Leadership Texarkana, and to joining the board of directors for a senior citizens group, I have certainly been busy. I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
Participants receive a relocation incentive package valued at $18,100, which includes $5,000 cash for relocation, a 25% tuition discount and first class free at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, first class free at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, a one-year membership to The Assembly Line, a Texas Pioneer Foundation Scholarship, Leadership Texarkana Preferred Membership, membership to the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, breakfast with mayors and city managers, one year as a city guest to all after-hours events by the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, and a Texarkana welcome basket. This is not a transaction. It is an invitation to learn, lead, and belong, and behind it all is a collaboration.
This is economic development done with care. It is not rushed or reactive. It is intentional. And perhaps most importantly, REDI…Set…Move is changing how Texarkana sees itself. Confidence is contagious. When a community believes in its own value, others begin to see it too.
Texarkana is proving that you do not have to be the biggest city or the loudest voice to compete nationally. You simply must know who you are and open the door. Careers may be remote, but opportunities are local, and belonging is very real.
REDI…Set…Move is not just a program. It is a statement. Texarkana is open. Texarkana is ready. Texarkana is moving forward with one family, one connection, and one decision at a time. The future does not always happen in the biggest places. Sometimes, it happens exactly where people feel truly wanted.
