Earlier this week the Mayor of a small Italian town suggested he would pay, anyone who would move there, €2000, in efforts to boost the town’s population. The suggestion further stated that rent for specified homes there could get as low as €50 a month. Bormida, the small northwest mountainous Italian town, is home to just under 400 people. With most of its population moving to look for work, the town has become somewhat of a ghost town.
This incentive would decrease the looming chance that it could turn into a desolate Italian town. The town sits 420 meters above sea level and is about 50 miles away from Genoa, the closest big city. Bormida has a few small restaurants but not much else in forms of entertainment. With views and countryside like this, do you need to be further entertained?
The suggestion was made to a Facebook post by the mayor, Daniele Guilliano, which was met with a booming response. Many people from all around the world showed interest in this plan to drive up the population of Bormido. Some said they would move their immediately if there was internet access through WiFi so they could work remotely. There were even some that would waive the money for a modest job.
Bormido isn’t the only town at risk of becoming a ghost town. There are about 2,500 small villages across Italy that are at the same risk. In January, the cultural ministry name 2017 the “year of the village” in an attempt to promote tourism in areas at risk of being deserted.
Due to the large inquiry of people across the globe the mayor has recently rescinded his offer but still encourages tourist to visit.
Source article can be read here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/07/italian-village-bormida-offers-2000-gifts-to-boost-dwindling-population
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