Emporium and Warren will host remote workers in 2023 Wilds Are Working initiative

After a successful pilot program in 2022 for The Wilds Are Working: A Remote Lifestyle Experience, remote workers will have the chance to apply to test out living in two new communities for 2023. Those communities will be Emporium and Warren.

Funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission through Ben Franklin Technology Partners and administered by the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc., this project seeks to help address the issue of outmigration in rural areas by marketing PA Wilds communities as great places to live and work.

Emporium, the county seat of Cameron County, is geographically centered in the “heart of the PA Wilds”  and situated between the region’s Elk Country and Dark Skies landscapes. With just under 2,000 residents, this is a small but thriving town. In Emporium, locally owned shops and restaurants fill the tree-lined Main Street. The town’s historical church district includes stained glass windows from the 1800s, showing its beautiful history. Bring your bike and enjoy the rails to trails, which cut through the center of town and offer a peaceful retreat. Participants selected for Emporium will spend the month of July in the charming community, which means they will be able to enjoy Independence Day events, summer farmers markets and other gatherings.

Warren, the county seat of Warren County, is located in the northwestern corner of the PA Wilds. With a population of more than 9,000 residents, Warren is one of the larger communities in the PA Wilds, while still holding onto its small-town charm. The wild and scenic Allegheny River runs through Warren, offering the ability to kayak, fish or take a stroll along the river. Situated in the Allegheny National Forest & Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds, Warren is a perfect location for avid hikers, and mountain bikers will enjoy the trails at Jakes Rocks. Participants selected for Warren will spend the month of August there, giving them the chance to enjoy late summer weather.

Lace up your boots and get ready to experience nature like you’ve never imagined it. The state parks, the Allegheny National Forest, our mountains, gorges, rail trails and country roads of the Pennsylvania Wilds provide the space and variety for every type of hiking adventure you can think of. Learn more about hiking and trails here.

Dream under the stars! Enjoy the fresh air and calm of sleeping in nature. From state parks to the Allegheny National Forest, there is a wide range of camping styles and locations to choose from. From rustic cabins, to tent camping or glamping, the PA Wilds welcomes you to make your bed in nature. Learn more about camping here.

The PA Wilds is home to some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities in the Eastern United States. While it is important to respect the amazing, wild creatures of the region and their natural habitats, the opportunities to witness these animals in our backyard is an experience that can’t be matched. Gaze into fields and the forest and you might see wild elk (we’re home to the largest free-roaming elk herd in the northeastern United States!), white-tailed deer, bobcat, fox, black bear, beaver, raccoon or other wildlife. Learn more about our wildlife here.

Explore by water! The PA Wilds is famous for water recreation, with over 16,000 miles of lakes, rivers and streams to enjoy. Water recreation in the Wilds is an ideal opportunity to disconnect and unwind.… wide open waters surrounded by scenic shorelines and forest land. Water recreation opportunities are available in every landscape – from relaxing canoeing, to nationally-known flat water paddling, swimming, motorized water activities and record-breaking fishing waters. Learn more about water recreation here.

Are you the type who is always seeking out the next best brew? Perhaps you travel with an empty growler in the back seat for when you’ve found a tasty liquid treat that you want to take home. Or, maybe you just like to have a locally made beer when you sit down for a great meal. There’s no lack of breweries in the PA Wilds… in fact, we are home to one of the oldest ones in the country! Learn more about breweries here.