MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s ‘Ascend’ program has continued to reach success and work to reverse the population decline in the state.
Officially launching in April 2021, with direction and financial backing of Marshall University President Brad Smith and his wife Alyss, Ascend pays individuals $12,000 to move to West Virginia for two years. Beyond the cash incentive, Ascend also offers free outdoor recreation activities, a coworking space, social programming events, and professional development and entrepreneurial assistance.
“We’ve really tried to integrate the space and the people into the community, and, vice versa, bringing the community into the space, as well,” WVU Assistant Vice President of Economic and Community Development Danny Twilley said.
Ascend is currently operating out of six separate locations in the state, including Charleston, the New River Gorge, Greenbrier Valley, Morgantown, Greater Elkins and the Eastern Panhandle area.
Twilley said Ascend has had a total of 704 participants, more than 1,500 people have moved to West Virginia, bringing additional household members, and 24 new babies have been born in the state.
Out of all the numbers, Twilley is most proud of the fact that the Ascend Program has a 96.4 percent retention rate, meaning almost all participants fully complete the program.
“We know that they show up, they want to be involved, they want to engage, and they want to be together, so it’s been really remarkable,” Twilley said.
In addition to an exceptionally high completion rate, 41 percent of the program’s participants have either purchased or built homes in West Virginia, exemplifying a long-term commitment to the state.
“It’s 41 percent,” Twilley said. “That’s a commitment, right. To buy a house, that shows you have a long-term commitment to stay. Often times what we find is those who start renting will eventually buy a house, as well.”
Throughout the years, the Ascend Program has racked up over 80,000 applications, and is currently on the way to reaching 90,000 applications. All are welcome to apply.
Story by Sophia Wassick