Most of Western Pennsylvaniawill see sharp declines in population over the next 25 years, and communities are getting creative to fight it, including offering cash.

Sharon and Hermitage in Mercer County are giving $5,000 each to household that moves there, alongside other benefits like YMCA memberships or access to a coworking space, as a part of a collaboration with MakeMyMove, an online relocation marketplace. Greenville, also in Mercer County, is offering nonmonetary benefits.

The initiative caught the eye of Adriana Krasnow, who lives with her husband and two young children in San Diego. Krasnow works remotely and wanted to leave San Diego due to the high cost of living.

Although she grew up in Hermitage, she hadn't considered moving back until she heard of the MakeMyMove program. After looking into the cost of living, she and her family are planning to move to Hermitage next month.

“I thought a lot about my childhood and how growing up in the City of Hermitage was just, honestly, a beautiful experience, and I love the small hometown feeling,” said Krasnow, who lived in Hermitage until she was 21.

Hermitage, population about 16,000, and small towns across the region are having trouble attracting residents. Getting people to stay — and to move there — is difficult when larger communities may offer the draw of more jobs, housing options, and things to do.