CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia has launched an initiative to attract veterans to the state. According to state officials, “Ascend Heroes” will attract veterans with financial incentives, providing opportunities for them to live and work in the state.
Created in partnership with the state government, the Wing-2-Wing Foundation, and West Virginia University, the Ascend West Virginia program, which is launching the heroes initiative, has welcomed more than 1,400 new West Virginia residents and has maintained a 96 percent retention rate since its launch.
Participants will receive a $12,000 incentive, distributed over two years in 24 equal monthly payments, with the option to accelerate the remaining balance into a lump sum upon purchasing a home in West Virginia.
They may choose to settle in one of several program regions, including Elkins, Charleston, Morgantown, the Greenbrier Valley, the state’s eastern panhandle, and the New River Gorge, with a six-month window to settle in after acceptance.
Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University and co-founder of the Wing-2-Wing Foundation, said the Mountain State is an ideal place to live for veterans, who will help bolster the state’s remarkable recent growth.
“West Virginia’s combination of natural beauty, strong community values, and economic opportunity makes it an ideal place for veterans to plant roots and thrive,” Smith said.
“We’re proud to see a program that puts this support into action, and we’re excited to help our heroes discover that Almost Heaven is more than just a slogan—it’s a real possibility for a fulfilling life after service.”
Governor Patrick Morrisey thanked Smith and other state leaders for instituting the program.
“Veterans represent some of the very best our country has to offer, and we want them to know there is a place for them here in West Virginia,” Morrisey said.
“With Ascend Heroes, we are opening the door for those who have already given so much to our country to build their next chapter here while strengthening our workforce, growing our communities, and building a brighter future for our state.”
West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim Seward said he looks forward to welcoming native veterans back and introducing new veterans to the state’s beauty and remarkable communities.
“From the moment I heard of Ascend West Virginia, I knew we needed to be part of it,” Seward said.
“We have soldiers and airmen who may have left the state to serve on active duty who are now looking for a way to move back home, maybe continue serving in the National Guard. This is for them. Or there are service members thinking about transitioning from active duty, hearing tales of how beautiful West Virginia is from their friends, or who trained at Camp Dawson and experienced the outdoors for themselves. Ascend Heroes is for them, too.”
Other dignitaries who spoke at the program launch included West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson and West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby.
Benson recalled the state’s proud history of military tradition. “West Virginia is a wonderful, welcoming place to live, work, and learn with a proud military tradition dating back generations,” Benson said. “Through Ascend Heroes, we’re inviting veterans to the Mountain State with our thanks and support, knowing they’ll become vital parts of our communities and find true homes.”
Ruby, who has helped build a remarkable increase in tourism in the state, emphasized the welcoming nature of state residents.
“Today marks such an exciting chapter in the Ascend W.Va. program,” Ruby said. “We are ready to welcome the heroes who have selflessly served our country to put down roots in Almost Heaven and join the growing family of ascend members who are calling West Virginia home.”
Ascend Heroes Program Eligibility
Participants must also be employed full-time in a role that can be performed remotely, be self-employed with a remote-capable business, or have secured a full-time position based in West Virginia. Full eligibility details and required documentation can be found here.
About Ascend West Virginia
Ascend W.Va. is a remote work program created through a partnership between the Wing-2-Wing Foundation, West Virginia University, and the W.Va. Department of Tourism. When Ascend West Virginia launched in 2021, the program immediately drew global attention and has since garnered nearly 90,000 applications from remote workers longing for a life of natural beauty and outdoor adventure in West Virginia. Since then, the program has welcomed more than 1,400 new residents, including 21 babies born during the program, hailing from 48 states and eight countries.
