What will you do when you
FORGET THE COMMUTE?
When you Work In Cherokee, you’re getting your time back. What will you do with more hours in your day?
you are eligible if:
You found the job on the FIND A JOB board on COED’s website.
You are a full-time employee, as defined by your employer.
You have worked 120 days or more at your new Cherokee company/position.
Your hourly wage at your new position is $17.25 or more. Hourly Wage equivalent of Cherokee County’s Average Annual Per Person Income of $35,928.
The hiring window for the Hiring Bonus closes June 21, 2024. Bonus Payments will be made on a rolling basis, but no later than November 2024, if employee has met eligibility.
You are a new hire to the Cherokee County workforce (workforce re-entry, new graduate, new resident or person leaving a job outside of Cherokee County). If you are moving from one Cherokee County job to another, you are not eligible.
Funds will be disbursed on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to Cherokee County residents accepting new Cherokee County jobs, non-residents will then be considered in order of submission.
Get $1,500 to get a job closer to home
2. Submit the Work In Cherokee Initial Interest Form noting the jobs you’ll be applying for, this will be cross referenced with the Hiring Bonus application submissions to demonstrate you found the job on our website.
3. You will receive an email confirmation of your Initial Interest Form submission with a link to the Hiring Bonus application.
4. You will apply directly to the company for the position, a link should be available from the posting on our website.
5. Once you are hired, complete and submit the Hiring Bonus Application form (available March 1, 2024), also located on our website.
6. You will receive an email confirmation upon submission of the Hiring Bonus form and a 60-day mid-point check in email to confirm you are still with the company.
7. Once you’ve reached 120 days of employment, you’ll receive an email form requesting confirmation you have satisfied all the eligibility requirements.
8. COED will then submit a Verification Form to your employer, once your employer has confirmed your employment and eligibility, we will process your hiring bonus payment.
9. When your check is available, COED will schedule an in-person pick up time, please bring your driver’s license for verification and fraud prevention purposes.
REQUIRED SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Applicant will need to upload a copy of their hiring letter showing date of hire and salary.
Questions? We’re happy to help. Email HiringBonus@cherokeega.org.
why work in cherokee?
Shorter commute. More time.
Careers that last.
The Hiring Bonus Program is part of the Work in Cherokee campaign, intended to address the pandemic’s lingering effects upon employment in Cherokee County. This targeted strategy supports both Cherokee residents and companies as we grow the employment base and economy in our community – together.
If you are a new hire to the Cherokee County workforce (workforce re-entry, new graduate, new resident or person leaving a job outside of Cherokee to Work In Cherokee), found your position on the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED)’s FIND A JOB board and meet the eligibility requirements below, you can apply to receive a $1,500 hiring bonus.
The employee submits the application for the hiring bonus, not the employer. However, the employer will be required to verify employment.
Hiring bonus applications will be available March 1 and can be accepted for positions that were posted and found on COED’s FIND A JOB board from January 1 – June 21, 2024.
Email your questions to HiringBonus@cherokeega.org.
applications & Check disbursement
Given the volume of applications to be reviewed, incomplete applications cannot be accepted. Hiring Bonuses will be payable on a first-come, first-served basis to all verified, eligible applicants, with priority given to Cherokee County residents first, then non-residents, that are accepting new Cherokee County positions.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept submissions after June 21, 2024, to ensure sufficient time to satisfy the 120-day requirement, application verification and payment processing.
COED will review applications as expeditiously as possible. Feel free to reach out to us at any point to check in on your application status.
When your check is available, COED will schedule an in-person pick up time. Please bring your driver’s license for verification and fraud prevention purposes. Bonuses will be paid on a rolling basis, but no later than November 30, 2024, if employee has met eligibility.
FAQs
We encourage you to submit your application if you were hired by a Cherokee County employer. Priority will be given to positions with employers who have listed their jobs on the Find a Job site. Ultimately, all eligible applications will be considered for the bonus on a first-come, first-served basis. This means your application has a chance, alongside others, as long as all requirements are met, and funds are available.
Yes. If you found the job on COED’s Find A Job site and are working for a Cherokee County company, you are eligible to apply. Fund distribution will be on a first come, first served basis, but please be aware that Cherokee County residents will receive priority in fund distribution. You are not eligible to apply for the signing bonus if you are moving from one Cherokee County job to another.
This means that eligible applications submitted by Cherokee residents will be considered before applications from non-residents in the order they are received.
The employee should apply for the hiring bonus. COED will contact the employer directly to verify that the applicant has been hired and meets the eligibility requirements of the hiring bonus program.
The bonus is paid to you as the employee. You must submit an application for the program to COED.
For the purposes of this program, “full time” is defined by your employer.
If changes need to be made or you would like to check the status of your application, please reach out to the team at hiringbonus@cherokeega.org or call 770-345-0600.
Yes. You can still post job openings on the COED Find A Job board even if you can’t disclose the client names. However, to ensure our program’s integrity, employers will be responsible for verifying that applicants meet the eligibility requirements.
As the sole proprietor or owner of a Cherokee County business, you are not eligible for the Hiring Bonus Program directly. However, any employees you hire who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the $1,500 hiring bonus.
We encourage you to submit your application if you were hired any time after January 1st. Ultimately, all eligible applications will be considered for the bonus on a first-come, first-served basis. This means your application has a chance, alongside others, as long as all requirements are met and funds are available.
No. The Hiring Bonus is intended for full-time employees with traditional W-2 employment. Contract work paid through a 1099 form and part-time positions do not fall under this category.
No. You are not eligible for the Hiring Bonus if you are moving from one Cherokee County job to another. The program aims to incentivize new hires to the Cherokee County workforce and encourage individuals to join companies in the area. Since you already have a job in the county, you wouldn’t be considered a new hire under the program’s guidelines.
Unfortunately, if you lose your job before reaching the 120-day mark of employment, you would not be eligible for the Hiring Bonus Program. This is because the program aims to incentivize and support long-term employment within Cherokee County.
Make sure you have entered the correct email address when submitting the form and then double-check your spam folder to see if the confirmation email is there. If it is still missing, please contact us at hiringbonus@cherokeega.org or 770-345-0600.
Yes. You will be asked to upload your hiring letter or other documentation confirming your hire. You will also be required to present your driver’s license for verification and fraud prevention purposes when you arrive to pick up your hiring bonus check.
You can expect to receive an email to confirm your eligibility within 15 days of reaching 120 days in your new position. Your response will initiate the process, but your employer must also respond to COED’s request to verification your information.
Once your eligibility is confirmed and payment processed, COED will email you with instructions for scheduling your in-person pick-up appointment.
No. Due to program regulations, bonus payments are only available for in-person pick-up.
Please contact us at hiringbonus@cherokeega.org or 770-345-0600 if you lose your ID or your ID information changes before pick-up.
While COED won’t deduct any taxes from the hiring bonus payment, you should consult with your tax professional to see if it is subject to state taxes.
To discuss your specific situation in this circumstance, please contact us at hiringbonus@cherokeega.org or 770-345-0600.
No. New jobs that are the result of a “paper change” only are not eligible for the program. Additionally, sole proprietors/owners of a business are not eligible, but their hires that are new to Cherokee County are eligible.
If the company offering the remote position has a physical office within Cherokee County, you may be eligible to receive the hiring bonus if you meet all other prerequisites ( i.e – new hire to the Cherokee County workforce employed full-time, earning at least $17.25/hr.). This is because you would be considered an employee of the Cherokee County company even if your work is done remotely.
No. The Hiring Bonus program aims to incentivize individuals to join the local workforce within Cherokee County and contribute to the local economy.