ASCEND WEST VIRGINIA ANNOUNCES SECOND CLASS OF REMOTE WORKERS

Nation's premier remote worker recruitment program now accepting applications for three communities, offering $12,000 cash and free outdoor recreation

LEWISBURG, W.Va., June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascend West Virginia, the nation's premier talent attraction and retention program, today announced its second class has begun the move to the Greenbrier Valley. Founded by West Virginia native Brad D. Smith and his wife Alys, Ascend WV will provide these pioneers more than $20,000 in incentives–and a path to "Almost Heaven." 

The program, which began in April 2021, is quickly ramping up its recruitment efforts. Ascend WV also today announced application openings for all three program locations: Morgantown Area, Greenbrier Valley and the Eastern Panhandle. 

"What an incredible day for West Virginia as we gear up to welcome these new men, women and their families to the charming Greenbrier Valley region," said Brad D. Smith, Co-Founder of the Wing 2 Wing Foundation and President of Marshall University. "As a native West Virginian whose career has once taken me away and now led me back to my home state, I couldn't be more proud of the work we've done to allow so many talented individuals the opportunity to work from the beautiful mountains of West Virginia." 

"We founded this program based on three principles: community, purpose and the outdoors. We've been blown away by the first class that moved to Morgantown last year. They've settled in and become true community members who now share in our passion and love for West Virginia. It's been great getting to know the first class, and I can't wait to start getting to know the Greenbrier Valley's newest residents," said Co-Founder Alys Smith. 

Ascend WV's second class has a diverse background and will bring a wide array of talents to their new community. Though their work spans industries ranging from consulting to advertising to computer systems design, and they all share a love for the great outdoors.

More than 3,600 – just about the number of residents in Lewisburg – applied to make the move to the Greenbrier Valley. The 33 selected hail from as far away as California and from 19 different U.S. states. Each bringing a depth of education and professional experience, the average annual income of those selected is approximately $125,000. Many of the new West Virginians are bringing their families along with them; a total of more than 60 people will relocate to the Greenbrier Valley area when the class makes its move. 

"All eyes are on West Virginia, and this program shows that our hard work is paying off. West Virginia is quickly becoming a sought-after place to start a business, live in paradise and raise a family. Cathy and I would like to be among the first to welcome these new residents to Almost Heaven, West Virginia," said Gov. Jim Justice. 

Among those choosing the modern mountain lifestyle found in West Virginia is Ben Isenberg, who is coming to West Virginia from Maryland. Ben, a serial entrepreneur and owner of Symmetry Agency, was one of the first to arrive in the Greenbrier Valley with his family, closing on a home just 30 days after receiving his spot. 

"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, my family and I set out to travel across the United States to stretch our legs and experience nature. We traveled, camped and explored national parks across the country in search of a place that would feel like our forever home. As new West Virginia residents, I am proud to say that we have found just that and more in the Greenbrier Valley of West Virginia." 

Also joining the class will be Andrew Neely, a native West Virginian. Neely, whose career in the Air Force once took him away from his home state, says it's a dream to return home. Neely is a modern-day Rocket Boy, recently working with NASA on the Artemis Project assisting in procurement & contracts and in his most recent role as a Senior Contracts Manager with Primer AI, a San Francisco based Artificial Intelligence company.

"As a graduate of Greenbrier East High School, it feels like a dream come true to return home, said Neely. "I'm an avid fisherman, paddler and biker, so West Virginia makes complete sense as the place for me to put down roots. My dog, Darwin, is already loving the miles of trails and wide-open space he has to roam." 

Even if they weren't selected for the inaugural Greenbrier Valley class, all Ascend WV applicants received some good news from the Ascend team: on average applicants will receive $3,500 in mortgage assistance if they move to West Virginia. This offer, provided by Ascend WV in partnership with Rocket Mortgage, is available to all who applied to the program earlier this year. See website for pricing details.

"One of the most exciting parts of this program has been watching an incredible amount of interest for West Virginia build across the nation and around the world. By partnering with Rocket Mortgage, we've not had to tell a single one of our 10,000+ applicants 'no.' Thanks to our partnership with Rocket  Mortgage, every person who applies to the program gets an invitation to call the Mountain State home. The best news of all? We are starting to see those moves happen as well," said Brad D. Smith. 

Ascend WV's acceptance rate for this second class was less than 1%, so applicants were also encouraged to resubmit their application for subsequent classes and/or other locations.

The Ascend WV program was made possible by a $25 million gift to West Virginia University's Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative from former Intuit executive chairman and current Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and his wife, Alys. Together with Governor Justice and his departments of Tourism and Economic Development, the collective team developed the only program in the country that focuses on outdoor recreation opportunities for talent recruitment and attraction.

"Ascend WV reflects the entrepreneurial-led approach our university has taken to drive economic development as part of our land-grant mission," West Virginia University President Gordon Gee said. "I have enjoyed meeting members of the Morgantown cohort who came home to West Virginia or decided to make this their home, and I am excited to see this wildly successful program expand in other communities across the state."

To help participants experience West Virginia's extraordinary landscapes, roaring rivers and vibrant small towns, the program includes these incentives:

• Cash: $12,000 cash relocation incentive, paid in installments over a 2-year period.
• Free Outdoor Recreation: One year of free outdoor recreation valued at more than $2,500. The package encourages a healthy work-life balance filled with hiking, ATV riding, ziplining, rafting, rock climbing, golfing, skiing, and more.
• Free coworking space: Remote workers will have modern facilities to stay connected and access to more than $1,200 in free outdoor gear rentals.
• Professional advancement: The ability to earn remote work certifications through West Virginia University and access to the John Chambers College of Business and Economics entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Networking: Access to state business leaders through special events and guided excursions to experience West Virginia's abundant outdoor recreation assets.

The program will welcome more than 1,000 remote workers to the state over the next five years.

"We are beyond excited to welcome our newest West Virginia residents to the Greenbrier Valley," said Danny Twilley, AVP for Economic, Community, and Asset Development at West Virginia University. "When you combine vibrant communities with the growing outdoor recreation amenities you create an unparalleled quality of life as the Mountain State becomes the premier location to live, work, and play."

As Ascend West Virginia welcomes remote workers to the Greenbrier Valley, it is now accepting applications for upcoming classes in the Morgantown Area, Eastern Panhandle and Greenbrier Valley.

"The success of this program is a testament to the national interest and excitement around West Virginia as a state on the rise," said Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Tourism. "Our mountain towns are ready to welcome new residents, and we invite everyone to find the vibrant community that fits your needs and apply for a chance to be a part of one of our next classes." 

The Ascend WV program spans three regions of the state, each of which offer a unique setting to appeal to remote workers: 

• Greenbrier Valley: Laid-back living just 40 minutes from America's newest national park–the New River Gorge Park & Preserve–and home to 203 mountain bike trails, 2,280+ climbing routes and 138 paddling runs.
• Morgantown Area: Lively college town brimming with culture, innovation and plenty of space to roam–boasting 100 paddling runs, 1,400 climbing routes and nearly 200 mountain bike trails.
• Eastern Panhandle: Historic small towns with great proximity to the nation's capital–elevated with bustling arts and culture, new development and hearty adventure along the Appalachian Trail.

Click here to learn more and begin your ascent. To view photos and access the media kit, click here.

Ascend WV is more than a remote work program – it is a vision of a better way of living in a place that gives you more than it takes back. Through Ascend WV, the nation's remote workers can build a new life in the mountain towns of West Virginia. With incredible incentives like $12,000 and a year of free outdoor recreation with access to complimentary gear rentals, the Ascend WV offer is one that cannot be matched. Ascend WV was made possible by a $25 million gift to West Virginia University's Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (Smith OEDC). From there, the Smith OEDC collaborated with partners from around the state to help remote workers from around the country rise to new heights: Governor Jim Justice, West Virginia Department of Tourism, West Virginia Department of Economic Development, West Virginia University, and more.

Contact: 
Lauren Hough
Public Relations Manager, West Virginia Department of Tourism
Lauren.Hough@wv.gov

Andrea Larson
PR Account Supervisor, BVK
andrea.larson@bvk.com

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SOURCE The West Virginia Department of Tourism