The Offer
There’s a reason that 50 years ago John Denver coined West Virginia as Almost Heaven in his hit song Take Me Home, Country Roads, and we’d like to share it with you. Mountain living is just within your grasp, so take a look at what we have to offer.
The Story
Having reached the greatest heights of business success in Silicon Valley and beyond, Brad D. Smith could not escape the magnetic pull of his home state. One thing became clear: West Virginia was drawing him back to the mountains that made him. With the minds of visionaries, Brad and Alys Smith made a transformational investment in Almost Heaven that is changing the landscape of remote work forever. Ascend WV was born with the mission of sharing West Virginia’s unbeatable quality of life with remote workers just like you.
Explore The Offer Valued at over $20,000
$12,000 Cash
As if life in West Virginia isn’t prize enough, we’ll actually pay you $12,000 to move here for two years. No strings attached. You can choose to receive the cash in 24 equal monthly payments; or, if you choose to purchase a home at any point during the two-year program, you can have the rest of your cash stipends accelerated into one lump sum. How you spend the cash is entirely up to you. It’s true what they say: Money goes further in the mountains.
How Does It Work
Free Outdoor Recreation
Stretch your legs and give your lunchbreak a refresh in the great outdoors. Here, nothing is off-limits. Go for a hike in your backyard or try your hand at high-speed adventure with rafting, off-roading and climbing. Trust us, these activities will give you just the energy you need for your next video conferencing call. With a year of FREE activities like whitewater rafting and downhill skiing, your explorer’s heart will be right at home. To sweeten the deal, we’ll also give you access to free outdoor gear rentals for you, your family and your friends. Adventure awaits.
Let's hit the trails
Coworking Space
Need to step away from your home office and get a fresh perspective? We’ve got you covered! Program participants will have access to free coworking space in the heart of a bustling mountain town. Get to know your neighbors or collaborate with other entrepreneurs. This modern space will give you the room you need, while leaving you feeling more connected than ever to the community you now call home. Find your focus and enjoy your best work-life balance yet by day and take part in networking events or cornhole tournaments by night. Come in the morning and grab a coffee from the kitchen and get to remote working and then rent a bike for free from the gear library and join us for a lunchtime ride around town.
Social Programming
Finding your circle in West Virginia is easy. To help you acclimate to your new home among the hills, we have several events up our sleeve. Enjoy your very own Country Roads tour, an outdoor focused welcome trip, completely on us. Here, you’ll get to explore West Virginia’s iconic landmarks and discover a few of our favorite hidden gems. Make lasting connections with your new neighbors and their families, all while discovering the best of West Virginia. Connect with local ambassadors in your new community through special events and outdoor experiences to make you feel like home the moment you arrive. From group bike rides and paddleboard yoga to weekend adventures and farm-to-table dinners, let us help you discover the place you belong.
Professional Development and Entrepreneurial Assistance
We can tell you have adventure on the mind, but we also know that innovation is at your core. To help you continue on a journey of growth, let us connect you with a variety of professional and entrepreneurial programs. By moving to West Virginia, you can earn a Remote Worker or Remote Manager Certification through the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University. Or connect with one of our business-building resources and receive assistance to launch your own entrepreneurial initiatives or grow your business. Here, we believe we’re stronger when we rise together. We can’t wait to see you reach new heights in West Virginia.
Outdoor Recreation Asset Enhancement and Development
West Virginia is a beloved adventure destination with tremendous outdoor recreation resources. With a love for our mountains and the people who live among them, we will be focusing attention on enhancing existing outdoor assets and developing new opportunities. Fueled by a $16 million investment, we will continue to create user-friendly experiences, reduce barriers to access and increase participation for our trails, waterways and beyond. These strategic investments into our outdoor recreation infrastructure will benefit both the state’s new and current residents while keeping West Virginia a beautiful place to live, work and play.
compare your cost of living in west virginia
Does it all sound too good to be true? Let the numbers speak for themselves. Kiss traffic jams goodbye and get ready to enjoy some serious savings!
Sources: Sperling’s Best Places 2021
FAQ
Do you have questions? We thought you might. Luckily, we have all of the answers.