Photo submitted to Times Observer Warren County Redevelopment Authority Member Phil Gilbert is awarded a Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence Wednesday in Harrisburg. Pictured from left are Department of Community and Economic Development Deputy Secretary of Community Affairs and Development Richard Villelo, Gilbert, Heidi Kafferlin, Ben Kafferlin, and DCED Executive Director for Local Government Services Kim Bracey.

A representative of both the City of Warren and Warren County governments was recognized last week with a Governor’s Award for Promoting Community/Economic Revitalization.

Warren County Tax Claim Director Phil Gilbert, who is a member of Warren City Council and the county redevelopment authority, was recognized for his efforts toward the revitalization of the old Warren National Bank Building – now the PNC Bank Building, and the establishment of the Innovault Coworking Space within that building.

Gilbert received the award Wednesday at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

“Opened in Dec. 2021, the Innovault Coworking project is a triumph of organization and community spirit that involves the redevelopment of one floor of the former National Bank Building in Warren from a blighted vacant structure into a vibrant and productive coworking space,” according to a release from Governor Tom Wolf and the Department of Community and Economic Development. “The project involved many partners, and fundraising resulted in over $100,000 in grants and donations to redevelop the space, including its vault (hence the ‘Innovault’ name). Now a building that was 95-percent vacant has become a driver of economic growth for both Warren City and the surrounding area.”

“Innovault is meant to help small businesses, entrepreneurs, teleworkers, and freelancers,” Gilbert said. “We wanted to provide a space for them to network and do their work, and provide that atmosphere for ideas and growth.”

He received the award for his role in leading and championing the project, though he says many deserve the credit for its success.

“There were many people involved that helped to make this project happen,” he said. “We did this. This award is shared with the whole group that helped get Innovault opened.”