Ascend Heroes: Helping Veterans Call West Virginia Home

Staff  •  July 21, 2026

U.S. Army veteran hiking in the mountains of West Virginia in a camo hat and army t-shirt

In partnership with the Ascend WV program, Ascend Heroes is an initiative that invites veterans to relocate to West Virginia with financial support and other benefits. Participants in the program are connected with a growing community of professionals who have chosen to call West Virginia home. This initiative is a way for West Virginia to give back to those who served their country in the military.

Incentives for Ascend Heroes Participants

Enjoying the natural beauty and charming communities of the Mountain State is just one of the benefits of Ascend Heroes. Veterans participating in the program will also benefit from a $12,000 cash incentive to move, payable in equal monthly installments over 24 months. If the participant chooses to purchase a home in West Virginia during that time, the incentive can be applied toward the purchase in a single lump sum.

Participants also benefit from the significantly lower cost of living in West Virginia, in addition to financial incentives and considerations. Ascend Heroes participants can enjoy outdoor recreation experiences and they can also network, use community coworking spaces and enjoy social programming with other program participants.

Learn More About Ascend WV and Ascend Heroes

If you are a veteran and remote professional considering making the move to West Virginia, you might want to explore the benefits of Ascend Heroes. You can learn more about the program, benefits, and what makes West Virginia different here:

Ascend WV was launched in 2021 in 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.

Keep up with Brad and his work in West Virginia by following him on X and Instagram or checking out his YouTube.

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