Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The Warren County Commissioners on Monday heard from Ta Enos, left, founder & CEO of the PA Wilds Center, about a pilot program aimed at recruiting remote workers to the region.

County officials have expressed interest in a Pennsylvania Wilds pilot program aimed at recruiting remote workers to the region.

“We’re at the point we gotta try everything we can to recruit people to the region,” Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said.

He invited Ta Enos, founder & CEO of the PA Wilds Center, to Monday’s work session.

“Population decline is such a defining issue out here” Enos said. “You just need new folks. … We are trying to create some pathways to do it in a very mindful and purposeful way.”

She told the commissioners that a pilot program was recently funded to undertake a remote work campaign. Citing the flock to public lands that came about as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, “overnight as a country we had to figure out how to remove work,” she said. “Is this a chance for population recovery for rural places after COVID? It really got our wheels turning.”

The pilot proposal is to offer a “short stay” of two to four weeks that remote workers potentially willing to relocate to the region can apply for. It would include a $4,000 stipend to cover costs; but the stipend could only be spent at local businesses.

A local lead nonprofit would carry out the program “on the ground,” Enos said. The application process will be designed to differentiate between people serious about potentially relocating from those just looking for a vacation.

“(We would) want someone serious about coming and living in your community,” she said. Activities the stipend could be used for would be things like lodging and meals but also experiences and special activities aimed at “trying to help them quickly make a connection with your place.”

The two pilot program communities are Bellefonte and Kane. Enos said they were investments happening in those communities that made them the “lowest hanging fruit.” There’s hope that additional grant funds could be secured to add a couple more communities to the pilot, which will run for two years with $25,000 awarded to each community.

“We really try to set up for, even if (the) remote worker doesn’t work out, (the) funds that are invested have a really positive impact on the ground,” she said. “Counties have sort of indicated this is an area (they) would possibly want to invest in.”

“I find it very interesting and exciting, a good opportunity for Warren County,” Commissioner Tricia Durbin said. “I am looking forward to seeing how your pilot works and how we can jump on.”

“I definitely think we should continue to look into this,” Eggleston said, explaining his view that American Rescue Plan funding could be used for a program like this.

“I think this fits into that,” he said. “(I’m) glad that you are taking the initiative on it.”