Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
Today is Friday, July 31, 2026.
#1 – From NPR – Ascend WV attracts new residents
West Virginia’s innovative approach to attracting remote workers continues paying dividends.
A recent NPR feature highlights the success of Ascend West Virginia, the nationally recognized program that has welcomed more than 700 remote workers—and more than 1,500 new residents including family members—since launching in 2021. Participants receive relocation incentives, outdoor recreation opportunities and coworking space while building new lives in Almost Heaven.
Many of those who arrived during the pandemic have chosen to stay, contributing to local economies, opening businesses and becoming active members of their communities. The program continues demonstrating that West Virginia’s quality of life, outdoor recreation and welcoming communities are attracting talented professionals from across the country.
Read more:
https://www.npr.org/2026/07/24/nx-s1-5869402/remote-work-west-virginia-cash-incentive
#2 – From BLACK BY GOD – History comes alive on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails
The Hatfield-McCoy Trails offer visitors more than miles of outdoor adventure.
A feature from Black By God: The West Virginian explores how the trail system also connects travelers with the stories of Black West Virginians whose lives, businesses and communities helped shape southern West Virginia.
By combining recreation with cultural heritage, the region offers visitors a richer understanding of Appalachian history while strengthening heritage tourism and supporting local communities.
Read more:
https://blackbygod.org/articles/travel-tourism/black-west-virginians-hatfield-mccoy-trails/
#3 – From BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS – Jefferson County is reaching new heights
Adventure is never far away in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.
A feature in Blue Ridge Outdoors showcases Jefferson County as a premier destination for outdoor recreation, highlighting rock climbing, ziplining, mountain biking, hiking and river adventures alongside the area’s historic towns and local restaurants.
Located within easy driving distance of Washington, D.C., Jefferson County continues attracting visitors looking for unforgettable outdoor experiences in Almost Heaven.
Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.
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That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.
