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

  • by Britt Madera
  • March 15, 2023
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the Pennsylvania Wilds? Are you paying rent in a large city but you have a remote job and are thinking, “Why should I live here when I could do this job from anywhere?” Do you want to wake up and be able to hike, bike or kayak before your morning meetings even start?

If you live outside of the PA Wilds but want to “test drive” what it’s like to live here, you have the opportunity to apply for The Wilds Are Working: A Remote Lifestyle Experience.

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.

Originally piloted in summer 2022 in the PA Wilds communities of Bellefonte and Kane, the initiative allows remote workers to live, work, volunteer, and explore all that the rural region has to offer. Participants could come from anywhere in the world, as long as they have a sense of adventure and the ability to work remotely.

Applications open on March 15 and are due by May 3, available at WildsAreWorking.com.

Learn more about the program details for the 2023 Wilds Are Working initiative in this previous press release.

2023 Wilds Are Working Communities

Emporium

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

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.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this program in Warren and Emporium for 2023,” said Abbi Peters, Chief Operations Officer at the PA Wilds Center. “This is an opportunity for tech and innovation workers who have the flexibility to ‘work from anywhere’ to explore the PA Wilds and find a community that provides a great quality of life. It’s also an opportunity for our region’s communities to look inward at all their great assets to ensure they’re properly positioned for the modern worker and traveler. We believe Warren and Emporium will each offer a very unique experience for the 2023 program.”

What to do in the PA Wilds

The PA Wilds is a fantastic place for outdoor recreation enthusiasts! If you love fresh air and wildlife, you’ll love exploring our region and finding unique places unlike anywhere else you’ve ever been.

Hiking and Trails

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.

Biking

From highway bicycling, to mountain biking, trail biking and even BMX, the Pennsylvania Wilds is paradise for those who love to pedal. With beautiful scenery surrounding, biking is one of the most popular activities in our region. If you choose to apply for the Wilds Are Working experience in Warren in 2023, you’ll be happy to know that the Trails at Jakes Rocks are near Warren and provide excellent mountain biking trails. Learn more about biking here.

Camping

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.

Stargazing

While most of the PA Wilds region is fortunate enough to have skies that are protected enough to enjoy the beautiful stars, our Dark Skies landscape offers silky black night skies to inspire awe and delight. Close to Emporium, Cherry Springs State Park is the world’s second certified International Dark-Sky Park, world-famous for being one the best places in the USA for stargazing and the study of astronomy. Learn more about our dark skies and stargazing here.

Wildlife

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.

Horseback Riding

With our gently rolling woodlands, the PA Wilds has many equestrian trails for horseback riding enthusiasts. The Allegheny National Forest and our State Parks and Forests maintain hundreds of miles horse trails available for public use. Feel the breeze in your air and take in the scenery! Learn more about horseback riding here.

Water Recreation

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.

Wineries

For many visitors to the Pennsylvania Wilds, nothing beats a refreshing beverage after an outdoor adventure or time spent exploring the communities the region has to offer. These wineries often offer tasting rooms and tours, allowing you to slow down and relax. Come taste how sweet life in the Wilds can be! Learn more about wineries here.

Breweries

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.

2023 Wilds Are Working Program Details

Learn more about the program details for the 2023 Wilds Are Working initiative in this previous press release.

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


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Author: Britt Madera
Britt joined the PA Wilds team as communications manager in 2022, helping to tell the stories that make our region so unique, whether that is covering our beautiful landscapes, the innovative businesses, or the spunky people that call it home. She had worked the last 10 years in radio and news broadcasting, and now she’s continuing to connect media outlets with positive news stories. Britt oversees external communications, media relations, and paid and volunteer content on the blog. As someone who grew up in Clearfield County and moved back shortly after college, Britt is eager to share her passion for the PA Wilds and help our area grow and shine.

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  • I-80 Frontier
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  • Scenic Route 6
  • National Wild and Scenic Rivers
  • Kinzua Experience
  • North Country National Scenic Trail
  • Bucktail Scenic Byway
  • Elk Scenic Drive
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  • Pine Creek Rail Trail

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