National insurer Allstate said it is “bucking the trend of recent waves of layoffs and pay cuts,” announcing its plans to open 81 new offices in Pennsylvania this year.

The effort is part of a regional recruiting effort for new agency owners by Allstate, which announced similar efforts in Maryland and Virginia.

“We see a significant opportunity in the current economy to attract mid-career, mid-level managers to own and operate their own business and represent Allstate in Pennsylvania,” said Dave Schwartzer, Allstate field vice president for Pennsylvania, in a statement. “We’re working to find professionals with financial or sales backgrounds, as well as other small business owners and entrepreneurs.”

Entrepreneurial candidates need $50,000 in liquid capital to open a new agency, according to Allstate, which said the money should be seen as “focusing on the stability of investing in the Allstate brand.”

Allstate said it is willing to provide insurance education to those without a background in the field and offer its expertise to help those interested in starting a new agency.

“These professionals have the resources and the expertise to hit the ground running – starting over as their own boss in control of their own destiny,” said Schwartzer.

The agency expansion is part of an overall growth strategy by Allstate that seeks to grow its auto insurance presence in Pennsylvania and stake a bigger claim in the markets for boats, recreational all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles, according to the company.