A tiny town in Iowa is offering free land to anyone who is willing to move there.
Authorities in Marne, Iowa, are desperately seeking new residents after an exodus of farming families saw the population dwindle to just 114 people.
Applicants will be handed a plot measuring on average 80ft by 120ft, provided they agree to build a property there.
The town of Marne, in Iowa, is offering potential new residents a free plot of land measuring 80ft by 120ft if they are willing to move there and build a house
There are only around 50 families currently living in Marne after many farmers were forced to sell up and move away, and authorities are encouraging more people to move
Each plot measures an average of 80ft by 120ft, includes access to internet, cable TV and a landline, and comes with drainage included
The home must measure a minimum of 1,200sq ft, not exceed two stories in height, and must have a partial basement.
In return the new owners will be given the land to build on, along with access to internet, cable and phone services.
The town is just 45 minutes east of Omaha and an hour west of Des Moines.
Marne resident Chris Baxter Dameron said: ‘The program has requirements but they aren’t too extensive.
‘You do get the land for free, you just have to build a house that meets the city councils requirements.
‘The main requirements is that the home built on the free land is not a mobile home.
House must be no more than two stories high, have to include a basement and a hard driveway, and must measure at least 1,200sq ft
Facilities in the town include a fire department (above), church, school and sports fields
The town is located near highways, is 45 minutes from Omaha and an hour from Des Moines
‘It has to be like 1200 or 1400 square feet and have a basement.
‘People aren’t allowed to have large farm animals in town but small ones are ok, like ducks and chickens.’
Mayor of the town Randy Baxter said: ‘This is a very picturesque town with rolling hills. For such a small population we have a lot going on.
‘We also have a good schooling system, high speed internet and we are well connected to other towns.
‘We have a young family of five who took advantage of the scheme living here now.
‘And that’s what it is all about – getting people to move here and boasting the population.’
To qualify for the scheme people need to be a resident of the US and house construction must be completed within 18 months.