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LOCK HAVEN -- Forty-one people have relocated to Clinton County through the Live and Work Program.
That's the word from Commissioner Angela Harding, who provided an update about the program during the board of commissioners' voting session Thursday morning.
The program, enacted in 2022, is going into its second year and funded through a portion of the county's American Rescue Plan Act Funding.
The county invested $200,000 into the program, which is facilitated by community planner Matt Croak. It's planned to run for two years as a pilot program with the main objective to work with employers in filling vacant positions as well as bringing new residents into the area.
According to Harding, 41 people have moved to the area since February 2022 -- 35 adults and 6 children.
"That is comprised of 22 application for relocation to Clinton County," she said.
Of that number, 10 were employed by Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, three of which were remote workers; two at Avery Dennison; two in the Keystone Central School District; and one at Bucktail Medical Center.
Harding's figures said nine people relocated from inside the Commonwealth, with 12 moving from out of state and one from outside the county. They moved to areas such as Lock Haven, Renovo, Avis, Beech Creek and Flemington Boroughs, McElhattan and Porter Township.
"We're continuing that program and entering into year two. Matt's going to meet with (the board) to talk about that second year incentive," Harding said.
According to the initial Live and Work Program plan, year one would be used as a reimbursement for relocation expenses or paid in lieu of invoices incurred. Year two is paid to the new resident with no strings attached if they are still employed and live in Clinton County.
"I think the program has been super successful and we've had some employers reach out to our planning department to inquire about it even further," Harding said. "The commissioners are considering putting a little more ARPA money into that program to keep it going -- to encourage people to come to our community, live in our community and increase our census."