CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s been less than three days since out-of-state residents have been able to apply to live in West Virginia’s capitol city through the Ascend program, but there’s already dozens across the country chomping at the bid to be selected.
“We announced this at one o’clock on Friday. Since Friday, there’s been 100 applications to move to Charleston, West Virginia,” Charleston Area Alliance President and CEO Mara Boggs said Monday on “580 Live” on WCHS Radio.
Ascend West Virginia is a program that uses remote work and outdoor incentives to attract folks from all areas. Ascend was founded by Marshall University President Brad Smith and his wife Alys in 2021 through a $25 million endowment.
The program offers a large cash relocation incentive and prioritizes life outside of work, as those selected get two free years of outdoor recreation in the state.
Smith appeared on MetroNews “Talkline” Monday to speak about Ascend. He says the program was well worth his investment.
“We’ve now had over a million people visit the website since April 12, 2021, when we launched. There’s been 65,000 applications from 108 countries and all 50 states,” Smith said.
According to Smith, Ascend opens the door for people from around the world to enjoy West Virginia to the fullest.
“When Good Morning America talked to one of the early Ascenders and said, ‘Why did you choose to relocate from Chicago to here?’ she said, ‘When I got here, I felt like I got baptized in kindness,” Smith said. “John Denver didn’t get it wrong. This is ‘Almost Heaven,’ and God placed his kindest angels here.”
“When people come and experience who we are and what we have to offer, you would be stunned how many people would gladly trade where they live right now to live right here,” he added.
Many officials in Charleston, like Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, had been hoping to be added to Ascend for multiple years.
“Quite frankly, we were a little jealous about all that they were doing,” Goodwin said when reflecting on the initial cities being chosen a few years prior.
Goodwin has said that when Ascend was started and Charleston was not among the first cities chosen, she and Smith had conversations about Charleston’s future with the program. Smith told Goodwin to get something started, even though the finances and resources may not have been there.
Charleston then started its “Roots” program, which was loosely based off of Ascend. The initiative offered financial incentives to those looking to move back to Charleston or establish new roots in the Capitol City but has a focus on enjoying parts of the community like the outdoors.
“A job is fulfilling. My job is fulfilling. It gobbles up a lot of my life, but also, there are other aspects. When you join the Ascend program, it is about re-locating to the Mountain State, but it’s also connecting you to spaces and places that you’ll live, work, and play,” Goodwin said.
To apply to Ascend West Virginia, click here.