Get to know our towns

Escape the cookie cutter clamor of malls and strip centers with a visit to the Greenbrier Valley’s unique mountain towns. Walkable streets complete with city parks and quiet spaces, you’ll uncover a vibrant community of artists and musicians, foodies and antique lovers.

Ascend WV, Greenbrier Valley

In response to the remote worker movement, West Virginia is giving transplants to the Mountain State an incentive that’s “Almost Heaven.” Unveiled in 2021, three communities were initially selected for the program: the Greenbrier Valley, Morgantown area and Eastern Panhandle. Greater Elkins and the New River Gorge have since been added to round out the select West Virginia communities to five.

AscendWV invites outdoor-minded, full-time remote workers or business owners to relocate to West Virginia. Those chosen through the application process receive financial incentives, coworker space, free outdoor activities, gear and equipment rentals for two years. Talk about a welcome mat!

MEET LOCAL RESIDENT KERRY DOUGAN. She is a novelty gift product designer who was one of the initial applicants for Lewisburg/Greenbrier Valley. Originally from New Jersey and more recently upstate New York, she was attracted to the outdoor lifestyle and small-town living that Lewisburg afforded.

She moved here in April 2022 and settled right in, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, trying her hand at ceramics at Carnegie Hall and joining the Ginko Yoga group at Lee Street Studios. And the shopping, “there isn’t too much, but it has all you need.”

As for the people, she’s inspired by their openness and genuine kindness. “Living here has gotten me out of my shell. Go anywhere in town, and you’ll see people you know. It’s part of the culture to smile—say hello. If you’re an introvert like me, you won’t be for long!”