My First Year in the PA Wilds
A reflection from Economic Recovery Corps fellow Marc Wilken

 

How I Got Here 

Almost a year ago, my wife Stephanie, our fur baby Lola, and I relocated from Philadelphia to the Pennsylvania Wilds. What brought us here? In December 2023, I was awarded a competitive fellowship through the U.S. Economic Development Administration and International Economic Development Council to work with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship through July 2026. Out of 1,500 fellows and 500 host applicants, we were one of just 65 partnerships selected.

My journey here starts with my parents, who dedicated over 50 years to serving their country, community, and family. My late father, a Vietnam War veteran and postal worker, and my mother, a paraprofessional supporting students with special needs, instilled in me the value of helping others.

In Philadelphia, I worked for 14+ years with the Parks and Recreation Department deploying those values, launching programs focused on workforce development, entrepreneurship, and youth mentorship. My first year in the PA Wilds has shown me these pillars and more are being championed throughout the region as well.

 

Placekeeping

Upon my arrival to the region, I was immediately inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit and pride of place that runs through its core. When I met Mickayla Poland, she greeted me with open arms into her PA Made Art & Clothing Co. shop. It was touching to learn about her partnerships with local artisans to promote their works and the PA Wilds story, and how Mickayla has opened up her space to student workshops to inspire the next generation of makers. To see her shop serve as a place for community and collaboration was so meaningful to me. 

I found myself learning about another set of doers during my stay at the Kane Manor Inn. The owners, Debra and Ben Miller, have put their heart and soul into restoring its historic charm and creating a warm, inviting space for guests. Their efforts were recognized this year, being named one of the Top Ten Best Historic Bed & Breakfast Inns in the U.S. Beyond managing the inn, they host events, run an offsite outfitter, and are actively restoring the inn’s original speakeasy, a beloved community gathering spot, to celebrate Kane’s history and heritage. I can’t wait for the opening!

 

Bringing Communities Together

In the Wilds, I’ve witnessed the power of creating places that encourage social connections, like Pop’s Culture Shoppe in Wellsboro. Owners Julian and Anja Stam run a game and toy shop with a public game room, where they host game nights that go as late as 1:00 a.m.! They’ve made the shop a true community hub, plus launched a local Comic Con to celebrate “Classic Comic Creativity Wrapped in Retro Rural Charm”. It’s no wonder they were recently named PA Route 6’s “Do 6” Artisan of the Year.

Exploring the PA Wilds has been a blast. My wife and I have biked the Pine Creek Rail Trail, stargazed at Cherry Springs State Park, and marveled at the views from the Kinzua Skywalk. But it wasn’t until an ATV trip in Potter County that I found an even deeper appreciation for  the connection between the land and the community. I was initially skeptical—outdoor recreation for me usually means hiking or biking—but I quickly saw how vital the ATV network is for both residents and local businesses. Through the leadership of the Potter County ATV/UTV Club, locals come together to ride, fostering a strong sense of community.  It also struck me that ATVs help increase trail accessibility for people with mobility challenges, a benefit I hadn’t considered. Denton Go, a local group revitalizing a historic ski resort into a year-round destination, has embraced the network, offering ATV rentals and other amenities to make their business more robust and resilient.

 

Supporting the Wilds 

Through the Wildly Cooperative initiative, led by the dynamic Alchemy Accompanied consulting group, I’ve been engaging with stakeholders across the PA Wilds to uncover challenges and needs affecting businesses. Conversations and surveys will help identify key insights to inform future programs supporting local entrepreneurs. As part of my fellowship, I’m also connecting with a national network of economic development practitioners to draw on strategies that can hopefully inspire local efforts to build community wealth and vibrancy. Thankfully, organizations like the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship are already paving the way. The Center, with its talented, passionate team, has become a national entrepreneurial model. My gratitude goes to them for welcoming me as a thought partner to help advance their mission.

 

Shop Local 

I’d be remiss not to end this article with one of my favorite pastimes—buying local! After moving to the Bellefonte area, I discovered Jabebo Earrings, a company that crafts earrings from recycled cereal boxes! The community participates by dropping off used boxes at one of 11 locations. Many of Jabebo’s designs, which celebrate biodiversity in the natural world, are perfect for bird lovers, like my wife Stephanie, who’s recently embraced birdwatching with the Merlin Bird ID app. Buying a pair of Jabebo earrings for her was an easy choice. So if you are looking for any  Valentine’s Day shopping ideas, you can buy directly from Jabebo through the PA Wilds Center’s online marketplace, where a portion of the proceeds will also support the PA Wilds movement.

 

The PA Wilds still has so much to teach me, and I hope to see you exploring it with me in 2025! 

 

About Marc Wilken:

Marc Wilken, the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellow, is matched with the PA Wilds region to support the Advancing Rural PA’s Outdoor Recreation Sector project. Hailing from the Philadelphia area, Marc is excited to deploy his program development background to create vibrant communities through the outdoors. As a nature enthusiast and environmental advocate, he hopes to see the natural assets of the PA Wilds region help build more resilient ecosystems that can flourish and position the people and places across the PA Wilds to thrive. Learn more about the ERC fellowship program and Marc here.

 

 

 

 

More photos from Marc and Stephanie’s adventures: