Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The WCCBI is holding a “Welcome to Warren” event for those new to our community. The networking event is set for May 18 at the Struthers Library Theatre.

The Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry will be providing an opportunity for people new to the community to get a proper Welcome to Warren.

The WCCBI’s “Welcome to Warren” event is set for May 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Struthers Library Theatre.

“The idea behind the event is to identify new people to our area, or individuals new to their roles and get them connected with other members of our community,” John Papalia, the Chamber’s director of operations said.

While population decline has been a consistent theme for decades in this area, Papalia said that there have been a dozen or two individuals new to the community that have attended this event in prior years.

“We do have businesses that have recruited professionals into their workforce,” he explained. “The Forest Service has quite a few new folks…. It’s a fairly decent size number.”

Papalia said the Chamber has been working with business leaders to identify who those people are.

“We have seen often times that someone might take a new job here in Warren and meet people at work, but their spouse or significant other may not have made as many connections,” he explained. “So this offers a way for people to connect, make new friends, find job opportunities, etc.

“We have to hook people in.”

A wide swath of individuals will be available to meet with people at the event from manufacturers, community leaders and elected leaders.

“We try to get as many people as we can,” he said, including entities like realtors and the Warren County Visitors Bureau “so they can grab information.

“The real power of the event is that networking,” he stressed. “It was an event that really came out of networking and communicating with HR directors in our area.”

Though the event is free, RSVPs are required both for those new to the community as well as entities looking to participate on the other side. Those can be made to Papalia — jpapalia@wccbi.org — or by calling the Chamber office at (814) 723-3050.