Clinton County “work here/live here” program adds realtors to the mix

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Clinton County’s new “Live and Work Clinton County” relocation and recruitment pilot program is two months old and has brought “a handful” of new residents to the county so far.

The county commissioners, utilizing $150,000 in American Rescue Plan funds, announced the program on Feb. 1. At Monday’s commissioner work session, Commissioner Angela Harding provided an update; so far, she said, a handful of new employees have been recruited. The program is aimed at assisting local employers struggling to find employees by providing a financial incentive for non-county residents to relocate to the county once employment is offered and accepted.

Harding said the program will be expanded to include realtors in the county, to “increase our partners” in addition to the multiple firms presently participating. She said the goal remains to “get more folks to move to our county and increase our taxes.”

Harding said responding new employees have to live at least ten miles outside the county and move in and secure new employment in the county. The program had been established over the winter in response to the many companies across the county advertising for additional employees.