A telecommuter is someone who performs the majority of their employment duties from a home office or coworking space.
An eligible telecommuter is someone who:
- Is a full-time employee for a company headquartered outside of the region; and
- Is relocating from a distance of 60 miles or greater from the Bemidji area (as defined by
a radius from the City of Bemidji); and - Is becoming a full time resident of the Bemidji area (56601 zip code. Note: applications
must be received within one month of documented relocation to the area); and - Performs the majority (95-100%) of their employment duties remotely (from a home
office or co-working space in the Bemidji area, such as the LaunchPad); and - Is obtaining internet services through Paul Bunyan Communications.
YES - Recent area higher education grads who accept a full-time remote work position with a company headquartered outside of the Bemidji region and are telecommuting from Bemidji are eligible.
Only remote workers bringing their job with them are eligible to apply to this program. However, anyone relocating to the Bemidji area can take advantage of the Community Concierge Program and would like to become more acclimated and engaged with your new hometown. Check out
the New Resident Relocation Program!
An eligible participant is someone who:
- Is a new resident of the Bemidji area on or after February 1, 2021; and
- Completes the Welcome Survey for the Community Concierge Program.
Yes. An application can be conditionally approved prior to your move to the Bemidji area (56601 zip code). Only after your move is complete and proper documentation is provided will your application be considered eligible for the program.
- Housing lease, contract or verified living arrangement (56601 zip code)
- Utility bill with service address listed
- Property tax bill
- Homeowner/renter insurance
- Contract for internet services through Paul Bunyan Communications
The application process is open until funds are depleted.
STEP ONE
Complete and submit the Greater Bemidji 218 Relocate Application online prior to relocating. There are four sections:
- Applicant Information
- Eligibility
- Proof of Residency (documentation required)
- Electronic Signature
The 218 Relocate Telecommuter Relocation Program will provide one awardee per household. The award will be applied directly to recipient's Paul Bunyan Communications monthly internet bill for the six months free Gigabit Internet Services. The full package includes:
- Six months Gigabit Internet Service with GigaZone Blast WiFi featuring WiFi 6 Technology through Paul Bunyan Communications (one-year contract required). Higher Speeds up to 10 Gig available! ($558 value).
- One-year membership to the LaunchPad co-working space in the Historic Mayflower Building ($1,500 value).
- Free access to the Community Concierge Program, connecting you and your family to the community.
- One-year Associate Level membership to the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce ($335 value).
- Teleworking support through Effective, a remote worker toolbox (provided by Justin DiRose).
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The 218 Relocate New Resident Relocation Program is available to newcomers to the Bemidji area. The full package includes:
- Free access to the Community Concierge Program, connecting you and your family to the community.
- Five Daily Passes to the LaunchPad co-working space in the Historic Mayflower Building ($50 value).
- Free access to community involvement and events.
- One-year Associate Level membership to the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce ($335 value).
YES! Grant awards include a free one-year Associate Level membership to the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce ($335 value). For more information, please contact: abby@bemidji.org
Six months Gigabit Internet Service with GigaZone Blast WiFi featuring WiFi 6 Technology through Paul Bunyan Communications (one-year contract required).
One of the largest all-fiber optic gigabit networks in the country is right here in Beltrami County! You can get Internet speeds of up to 10 Gigabit per second both uploads and downloads to telecommute, distance learn, stream your favorite videos and much more, all at the same time if you want.
Awards will be applied directly to grantee’s Paul Bunyan Communications monthly internet bill for the six months free Gigabit Internet Services.
Need help with your internet service? Contact customerservice@paulbunyan.net
Greater Bemidji reserves the right to adjust the definition of qualifying expenses and the eligibility requirements of the program.
No documentation is required through the application process for 218 Relocate regarding the qualifying expenses but your active internet services and contract through Paul Bunyan Communications will be verified as a part of the review process after you have submitted your complete application.
A coworking space is a shared location outside of the home ideal for telecommuters and small business owners, that provides a flexible size, environment, and contract terms. The LaunchPad is a co-working space located in Bemidji in the Historic Mayflower Building.
Yes. An applicant can apply for any portion of qualified expenses that are not paid or reimbursed by their employer. It will be verified during the application process the extent of the reimbursement or financial coverage by the employer towards the internet services.
No. There can only be one applicant awarded per household. Feel free to utilize the free Community Concierge Program for your entire family, however!
No. Applicants are responsible for obtaining their own employment and housing.
If you are looking for a job, a good place to start is BemidjiWorks. This will direct you to some resources to help you begin your search. If you are looking for specific guidance, you can contact Erin Echternach at eechternach@greaterbemidji.com
Here are some tools for relocating to the Bemidji area:
All of the details of the 218 Relocate Telecommuter Relocation Program or the New Resident Relocation Program can be found within these FAQS, or you can send an email to Erin Echternach at eechternach@greaterbemidji.com
Contact Paul Bunyan Communications at customerservice@paulbunyan.net for any questions regarding their internet services and how to apply for installation in your home.