WILDS ARE WORKING
Remote Work Toolkit for Rural Communities
Welcome remote workers. Revitalize your community. Inspire connection.
The remote work toolkit is a free, proven resource designed to help towns attract remote workers, support small businesses, improve feedback loops and strengthen their local economy. Developed by the PA Wilds Center, the toolkit is built on the success of a three-year pilot program that brought new residents—and new energy—into rural Pennsylvania communities.
What’s Inside the Remote Work Toolkit
Our downloadable toolkit includes everything you need to plan and launch a remote worker residency in your community:
- Steps to structure your own remote worker residency
- Tips for preparing host communities
- Tools for marketing, housing, and coworking
- Survey results and impact stats from our pilot programs
- Templates for branded materials and welcome guides
- Examples of what worked (and what didn’t!)
Whether you’re just starting to explore this idea or ready to launch, this toolkit is designed to support communities of all sizes.
Request the Toolkit for Download
Why It Works
From coworking investments to community pride, the impact has been real, and lasting.
6
Host Communities over 3 years
27
Remote Workers hosted
$135K+
Invested into local businesses
90%
Participants rated the experience 5/5
86%
Participants said they may relocate in the future
1
Participant relocated with their family
PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIAL
“Getting to spend a month somewhere and meet the people and talk to them and see the culture… you feel a part of this community, in a way that I didn’t before. I feel like I went to high school here suddenly! I’ve shopped at this little start-ups - people with a dream who want to open a toy store and it’s great. It’s more personal than where I live.”
Gabe Mollica - Williamsport Program Participant
COMMUNITY PARTNER TESTIMONIAL
“Not only did our participants get to connect with different organizations and local people, but we were also able to draw in some people already in our community who we weren’t yet connected with. That will be something we carry on—we’re going to do a ‘Welcome to Kane’ party annually now, based on this experience.”
Kate Kennedy – Kane Area Development Center
Ready to Get Started?
Join the growing network of rural innovators transforming how and where we work.
Request the Toolkit for Download
Have questions or want to share your progress?
Email Hello@PAWildsCenter.org
