Joan Goldstein - commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development - says the race is on. States across the US are competing to attract new residents, she says.
"I know that sounds very mercenary but we're in a competitive marketplace," she says. "Vermont's marketing strategy for decades was white, heterosexual males with family incomes of $120,000 (£92,000) or more. That population is shrinking."
Vermont has made a big change in their approach, she says. Instead of just trying to attract businesses to the state, they're now appealing directly to individuals.
"Other states have asked us how we did this because they're also interested in some of the same types of tactics," she says. "So clearly, even though it's a departure, it's probably going to be more mainstream soon."
This year Vermont began handing out $10,000 (£7,600) for certain workers who move to remote parts of the state.
