In a world that often celebrates hustle and big-city living, Ascend West Virginia (Ascend WV) is quietly rewriting the script, inviting remote workers and entrepreneurs to build a different kind of life: One rooted in balance and purpose, in a place where community isn’t just a buzzword but a custom.
Since launching in 2021 through a partnership between Brad and Alys Smith’s Wing 2 Wing Foundation, West Virginia University, the Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC), and the West Virginia Department of Tourism, Ascend WV has welcomed over 400 remote workers and their families to the Mountain State. Each one has brought something unique, and each one has found something unexpected.
Communities Designed to Help Members Reach New Heights
When it comes to Ascend, the authentic connection between the communities it serves and the relationships it continues to nurture indicates that the program is both thriving and gaining traction.
Ascend WV spans five unique regions, each offering its own flavor of Almost Heaven:
- Morgantown Area: An education hub for West Virginia — home to West Virginia University (WVU) and top-rated K-12 schools.
- New River Gorge: From rock climbing to river rafting, New River Gorge offers unmatched outdoor recreation.
- Eastern Panhandle: A community that’s close to D.C., the Eastern Panhandle is bursting with small-town charm and historic towns.
- Greater Elkins: A mix of it all – the Greater Elkins area offers festivals, trails, and tight-knit creative communities.
- Greenbrier Valley: Greenbrier Valley is for anyone with a desire to experience true river towns with a small-town soul while building a community with artisan makers, nature lovers, and entrepreneurs.
Whether you’re drawn to college-town energy in the Morgantown Area, river views in the Greenbrier Valley, or rugged cliffs in the New River Gorge, there’s a place — and a purpose — for everyone here in West Virginia.
Making a New Place Home
Ascend WV is more than just a program – it’s a vision and a blueprint.
When flutist Shawn Wyckoff left behind the concert halls of New York and Toronto to move to Martinsburg, he had no idea his rollerblading jam sessions would earn him local celebrity status. Now, he and his wife, violinist Maria Millar, are bringing high-caliber performances and a joyful sense of artistry to Shepherdstown while enjoying the slower pace and warm welcomes that come with small-town life.
“Drivers stop to let you pass, share a wave, or fling an arm out the window just to give you a thumbs up,” Shawn said. “We even had an impromptu dance party with a car waiting at a red light.”
Across the state in the Eastern Panhandle, filmmaker Alden Roth also made his way back — but this time, it was home. A Jefferson County native and avid biker, Alden joined Ascend WV to reconnect with his roots, serve on his local Parks & Rec board, and launch new creative projects with deep Appalachian flavor. He also recently completed the Rim to River 100 in less than 24 hours last fall.
For Ascend member Jennie Smith-Peers, the move to Morgantown opened doors to a more profound impact. Through connections made in the program, she’s helping develop a first-of-its-kind arts program for people living with memory loss and Parkinson’s.
“I hope this is just the start of something that grows far beyond me,” Jennie shared.
From Connection to Collaboration
Some Ascenders came to West Virginia as strangers and found business partners.
That’s the story of Leon Kaye and Nick Lennox, two communications pros who met through Ascend WV’s Greater Elkins cohort. What started as casual conversations over disc golf and co-working sessions turned into KX Strategies — a new firm supporting energy, tech, and the state’s growing outdoor economy.
Then there’s Ben Isenberg, who helped bring together more than 5,000 attendees for the first-ever Whizzbangers Ball — a music and outdoor adventure festival that featured Appalachian artists, supported regional nonprofits, and captured the soul of West Virginia’s creative spirit.
“The most gratifying aspect was the celebration of West Virginia, my new home,” Ben shared. “Moving here because of the Ascend program has been one of the best decisions of my life.”
A Conversation About Belonging
At a recent panel titled “Finding Community in the Mountain State,” moderated by Ascend WV co-founder Alys Smith, three Ascend members shared what it truly means to call West Virginia home. Each panelist spoke to the life they’ve built since arriving, from discovering new passions and professional opportunities to forming deep ties through volunteering and community groups. Despite having never set foot in their towns before joining the program, all three expressed a shared feeling: They’d found where they belonged.
They talked about the outdoor recreation that fuels their work-life balance, the unexpected friendships they’ve formed, and the ways in which they’ve gotten involved — from local nonprofits to grassroots initiatives. The conversation brought the spirit of Ascend WV to life: a program that doesn’t just relocate remote workers but helps them root, grow, and thrive.
Building a State Where People Want to Stay
The magic of Ascend WV isn’t just in who it attracts — it’s in who decides to stay.
In late 2024, Ascend WV launched its new Homeownership Incentive, offering members $12,000 toward the purchase of a primary residence in the Mountain State. The goal? To help Ascenders not just move to West Virginia but plant roots here. With over 40% of members already having bought homes, this initiative is expected to accelerate that number, further anchoring long-term community investment and economic impact.
Across cohorts, Ascenders are buying homes, joining boards, founding businesses, and building lives rooted in purpose. In fact, according to the 2024–2025 moveBuddha Migration Report, West Virginia has emerged as one of the top inbound states, surpassing many traditional relocation hotspots.
As the program approaches the milestone of welcoming 500 new members, it’s clear that Ascend WV is more than a remote work initiative. It’s a movement fueled by the mission of the Wing 2 Wing Foundation to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and shape a more connected future for West Virginia.
Learn more about Ascending in the Mountain State.
Ready to Experience a Slice of #AlmostHeaven?
If you’re a remote worker or recent college grad dreaming of a life with more space, more nature, and more purpose, Ascend WV and First Ascent are both waiting to welcome you.
- Apply to Ascend WV (Remote Workers)
- Learn more about First Ascent (College Students/Recent College Graduates)
- Become an Ambassador (Welcome Our New Neighbors to the Mountain State)
- Get your community involved (Is Your Community Ready to Be a Part of Ascend WV? Learn more!)
Wing 2 Wing Foundation remains committed to backing bold ideas and community-driven programs that transform opportunity into impact, from the hills of Appalachia to communities around the world.