Unlock your potential in West Virginia; our country roads will always lead you home.
Emphasizing community, purpose and the outdoors, Ascend WV is designed to support remote workers as they relocate to West Virginia in pursuit of high quality of life and an outdoor-driven lifestyle. Likewise, First Ascent is creating pathways to stay in the Mountain State for recent WVU and MU graduates through the power of hybrid and remote work.
By attracting, retaining, and empowering a talented workforce across the Mountain State, West Virginia has become more than a destination—it’s a place to build a career, make meaningful connections, and embrace a lifestyle of balance, growth, and adventure. Through Ascend WV and First Ascent WV, two groundbreaking initiatives of the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC), West Virigina is the new hub for remote workers.
Ascend WV: Almost Heaven for Remote Professionals: Ascend WV invites remote workers to relocate to West Virginia, offering a curated experience that includes access to coworking spaces, outdoor adventure, and social and community engagement. This program encourages participants to embrace remote work while making the most of West Virginia’s exceptional outdoor recreational offerings, as remote work allows more room for an active lifestyle within our vibrant community settings.
First Ascent WV: Empowering Recent Graduates to Thrive Locally: First Ascent WV, the only program of its kind in the nation, is specifically crafted for recent graduates from West Virginia University and Marshall University who are passionate about staying in-state to build their futures. The two-year program provides flexible coworking spaces, professional mentorship, and access to outdoor adventures, all within one of six unique communities. First Ascent builds on the foundation of Ascend WV, leveraging the power of hybrid and remote work to help graduates find their place in West Virginia.
Learn More About First Ascent WV
Header & Ascend WV Image Credit: West Virginia Department of Tourism
Ascend WV
Director, Talent Attraction & Retention
Emily Huguenin leads the Ascend WV program as its director. She comes with a wealth of experience in team leadership and program development, which is an asset to the remote worker program as it expands into new locations and initiatives take the program to new heights.