Warren has been selected to participate in the PA Wilds Wilds Are Working initiative.

The effort aims to give remote workers a feel for what potentially relocating to this area would look like.

“With an eye toward tackling the challenges that come with outmigration and a dwindling tax base, the Wilds Are Working campaign seeks to empower workers to try out living, working, and giving in the PA Wilds communities for 2-4 weeks with a hope that some of those participants will decide to work in the region full-time,” according to a program description.

Phil Gilbert as president of the Innovault coworking space and as a city council member applied for Warren to be selected as a host community.

He said the program was in Kane last year and was well received.

Communities selected to host the program have to tick several boxes – suitable accommodations, access to high-speed internet, cell phone coverage, recreation and activity options and “a group of friendly and knowledgeable volunteers ready to host workers and help them make the most of their experience.”

Gilbert said the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry will manage and coordinate Warren’s involvement.

“Basically, what they’re trying to do is put a spotlight on these areas,” Gilbert said.

Commissioner Ben Kafferlin said an $8,500 match was raised locally with PA Wilds to contribute “multiple times more” than that.

Officials believe as many as five families could participate in the effort.

Gilbert said PA Wilds will select the families and they’ll then be vetted locally.

Commissioner Tricia Durbin called it “some new people coming into the community. I’m excited. I think that’s great.”