Clinton County to unveil relocation/recruitment program for county employers

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Clinton County has released initial details on its “Live and Work Clinton County” relocation and recruitment pilot program.

According to information at the county commissioners’ Monday work session, the program is designed to assist county employers recruit new hires that live outside the county. As explained by Commissioner Angela Harding, who first advanced the idea, and county community planner Matt Croak, Live and Work will provide a financial incentive to relocate to the county once employment is offered and accepted.

Harding told therecord-online the county has budgeted $150,000 in American Rescue Plan money for the two-year pilot program and more could be provided later as the ARP funds have a five year expiration date. She said the county is working on the incentive amounts and more information should be available for the commissioners’ voting session on Thursday. She said the program must also pass legal muster.

She said the county is fine-tuning the list of participating employers. Many companies across the county have been advertising for additional employees. Harding said county representatives have been meeting with local employers on the project and are working to accommodate their needs.

Program information as shared at the Monday work session:

Purpose

This pilot program is designed to assist Clinton County employers recruit new hires that live outside of Clinton County.
Live and Work provides an incentive for new hires to relocate to Clinton County once employment is offered and accepted. The intent of this assistance is to support the employee, new hire, and their family during the moving process and reduce the financial impact of relocation for an employment opportunity.

This is a pilot program and as such may be modified to meet the needs of the employers.

A secondary objective is to increase the tax base and provide economic growth to Clinton County, PA.

Scope

The program is applicable through employer partners who have been identified by the County Commissioners. At the end of the pilot program, additional partners may be added.

This is a two year program for the recipient. The initial incentive, first year payment will be in lieu of receipts and invoices. The second year will be a one time payment. The second installment will be issued a 1099 for tax purposes. 

Funding is made possible through the American Rescue Plan allocation to Clinton County Government.

 General

Implementation will begin on February 1, 2022. The pilot program will operate for 6 months. At this time, the program will be reviewed by the Commissioners with input from all partners. Expansion of employers may occur at this time.

Eligibility

• Qualified candidates must be a new hire at one of the pilot program companies.
• The employee will be hired full time and earning no less than $16.00 per hour or be accepting a part-time position post retirement.
• Temporary, grant funded, and short-term vacancies do not qualify.
• The employee must live no less than 10 miles outside of any Clinton County border.
• Both on-site and remote employment qualifies.

Qualifying Expenses

• Moving Costs
  • Supplies
  • Moving Company
  • Gas (2 round trips)
• Rental Fees
  • Security Deposit/First & Last Month’s Rent
  • Rental Insurance
• Property Purchase
  • Land/House
  • Appraisal
  • Closing Cost (If no other funding used: City/County Program)
  • Inspection
  • Legal Costs
• Utility Expense
  • Hook Up
  • Gas, Cable, Electric, Oil
• Furniture/Appliances

Additional Notes:

• Live and Work can be combined with other programs that do not overlap