On April 12, Gov. Jim Justice announced a program, Ascend WV, that will “enable adventurers to enjoy world-class recreation, quiet spaces and a low cost of living, while remaining fully connected to their jobs.”
West Virginia’s new program is because many large companies, including Uber and Microsoft, are bringing their employees back to the office, or at least thinking about it as vaccinations against Covid-19 increase. But that doesn’t mean it’s too late for the Mountain State’s offering. Some companies – including Twitter and Slack – allow at least some employees to work remotely permanently.
The $ 12,000 West Virginia offers will be paid over two years, with $ 10,000 divided into monthly payments for the first year and $ 2,000 paid at the end of the second year, according to the program’s website. If you move early, you will keep the money you have earned so far.
The incentive package also includes a year of free outdoor recreation, bringing the total value to $ 20,000, the website said. That includes one year of access to activities such as white water rafting and downhill skiing, as well as two years of free rental of outdoor gear, such as camping gear or paddleboard equipment.
Applicants must be 18 or older with a full-time remote job with a company outside of West Virginia.
The first three host cities are Shepherdstown, Lewisburg and Morgantown. According to CNN affiliate WCHS, more than 2,000 people signed up for the 50 spots in Morgantown, the first to open applications.
Registrations are open until the end of May in Morgantown and early 2022 in Shepherdstown and Lewisburg.
The program is supported in part by former Intuit CEO and West Virginia-born Brad Smith and his wife, Alys, the governor’s office said. The couple donated $ 25 million to West Virginia University to get the program off the ground, according to the school.
“Alys and I are committed to the success of this program and its ability to leverage West Virginia’s outdoor resources to attract new talent, cultivate dynamic communities and continue to nurture the entrepreneurial and innovative thinking that characterizes the state,” Smith said. The Smiths hope the program will eventually cover all 55 counties of the states.
