On April 12, Governor Jim Justice announced a program, Ascend WV, that “allows adventurers to enjoy world-class recreation, uninhabited spaces, and a low cost of living while staying fully connected to their work.”
West Virginia’s new program comes because many large companies, including Uber and Microsoft, are bringing their employees back to the office, or at least started thinking about it when Covid-19 vaccinations increased. But that does not mean it is too late for the Mountain State offer. Some companies – including Twitter and Slack – allow at least some remote employees to work permanently.
The $ 12,000 offered by West Virginia is 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. This includes one year of access to activities such as rafting and downhill skiing, as well as two years of free rental of outdoor equipment such as camping equipment or paddleboard equipment.
Applicants must be 18 years or older with a full-time distance job at a business outside of West Virginia.
The first three host cities are Shepherdstown, Lewisburg and Morgantown. More than 2,000 people reported the first 50 applications for the 50 spots in Morgantown, according to CNN affiliate WCHS.
Applications 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 CEOs and Brad Smith in West Virginia, and his wife, Alys, the governor’s office said. The couple, according to the school, donated $ 25 million to West Virginia University to get the program off the track.
“Alys and I are committed to the success of this program and its ability to leverage West Virginia’s assets to attract fresh talent, cultivate dynamic communities, and continue to embrace the entrepreneurial and innovative thinking that characterizes the state. to wake up, “Smith said. The Smiths hope that the program will eventually include all 55 states.
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