diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index cd6d37e24d..04fd094cab 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.17 FATAL_ERROR)
-project(vt VERSION 1.1.0)
+
+file(READ "VERSION" _vt_version_str)
+string(STRIP "${_vt_version_str}" _vt_version_str)
+project(vt VERSION ${_vt_version_str})
 
 # To generate output file with compilation errors and warnings
 # CMake generator needs to be known
diff --git a/cmake/build_git_info.cmake b/cmake/build_git_info.cmake
index 15689502af..8d47e28479 100644
--- a/cmake/build_git_info.cmake
+++ b/cmake/build_git_info.cmake
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 find_package(Git REQUIRED)
+
+set(GIT_DIR)
+set(HEAD_FILE)
 execute_process(COMMAND ${GIT_EXECUTABLE} rev-parse --git-dir
         WORKING_DIRECTORY
         "${PROJECT_BASE_DIR}"
@@ -8,26 +11,35 @@ execute_process(COMMAND ${GIT_EXECUTABLE} rev-parse --git-dir
         REL_GIT_DIR
         OUTPUT_STRIP_TRAILING_WHITESPACE)
 if (NOT res EQUAL 0)
-    message(FATAL_ERROR "git invocation failed")
-endif()
-
-get_filename_component(GIT_DIR ${REL_GIT_DIR} ABSOLUTE BASE_DIR ${PROJECT_BASE_DIR})
-message(STATUS "Git DIR: ${GIT_DIR}")
-if (NOT GIT_DIR)
-    message(FATAL_ERROR "not a git directory")
+    message(STATUS "git invocation failed, git info cannot be obtained")
+else()
+    get_filename_component(GIT_DIR ${REL_GIT_DIR} ABSOLUTE BASE_DIR ${PROJECT_BASE_DIR})
+    message(STATUS "Git DIR: ${GIT_DIR}")
+    if (NOT GIT_DIR)
+        message(STATUS "no git directory present")
+    else()
+        if(NOT EXISTS "${GIT_DIR}/HEAD")
+            message(STATUS "no such file: \"${GIT_DIR}/HEAD\"")
+        else()
+            set(HEAD_FILE "${GIT_DIR}/HEAD")
+            message(STATUS "Git HEAD file: \"${HEAD_FILE}\"")
+        endif()
+    endif()
 endif()
 
-if(NOT EXISTS "${GIT_DIR}/HEAD")
-    message(FATAL_ERROR "no such file: \"${GIT_DIR}/HEAD\"")
-endif()
-set(HEAD_FILE "${GIT_DIR}/HEAD")
-
-message(STATUS "Git HEAD file: \"${HEAD_FILE}\"")
-
 set(VT_GIT_CONFIG_FILE "${PROJECT_BIN_DIR}/src/vt/configs/generated/vt_git_revision.cc")
 add_custom_command(
         OUTPUT ${VT_GIT_CONFIG_FILE}
-        COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -DIN_FILE=${PROJECT_BASE_DIR}/vt_git_revision.cc.in -DOUT_FILE=${VT_GIT_CONFIG_FILE} -DGIT_EXECUTABLE=${GIT_EXECUTABLE} -DGIT_DIR=${GIT_DIR} -DHEAD_FILE=${HEAD_FILE} -P ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/run-git.cmake
+        COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND}
+        -DIN_FILE=${PROJECT_BASE_DIR}/vt_git_revision.cc.in
+        -DOUT_FILE=${VT_GIT_CONFIG_FILE}
+        -DGIT_EXECUTABLE=${GIT_EXECUTABLE}
+        -DGIT_DIR=${GIT_DIR}
+        -DHEAD_FILE=${HEAD_FILE}
+        -DPROJECT_VERSION_MAJOR=${PROJECT_VERSION_MAJOR}
+        -DPROJECT_VERSION_MINOR=${PROJECT_VERSION_MINOR}
+        -DPROJECT_VERSION_PATCH=${PROJECT_VERSION_PATCH}
+        -P ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/run-git.cmake
         DEPENDS ${GIT_DIR}
         )
 
diff --git a/cmake/load_doxygen.cmake b/cmake/load_doxygen.cmake
index 81849cd175..616dcdf7cd 100644
--- a/cmake/load_doxygen.cmake
+++ b/cmake/load_doxygen.cmake
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ if (${vt_doxygen_enabled})
     set(doxygen_out ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/Doxyfile)
 
     set(DOXYGEN_PROJECT_NAME "vt")
-    set(VERSION_MAJOR "1")
-    set(VERSION_MINOR "0")
-    set(VERSION_PATCH "0")
+    set(VERSION_MAJOR "${PROJECT_VERSION_MAJOR}")
+    set(VERSION_MINOR "${PROJECT_VERSION_MINOR}")
+    set(VERSION_PATCH "${PROJECT_VERSION_PATCH}")
     set(DOXYGEN_INPUT_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/")
     set(DOXYGEN_CHECKPOINT_SHARED_DOCS_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/checkpoint/docs/shared")
     set(DOXYGEN_CHECKPOINT_EXAMPLE_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/checkpoint/examples")
diff --git a/cmake/run-git.cmake b/cmake/run-git.cmake
index feb6528767..73c341e0fb 100644
--- a/cmake/run-git.cmake
+++ b/cmake/run-git.cmake
@@ -14,7 +14,10 @@
 message(STATUS "Reading head file ${HEAD_FILE}")
 message(STATUS "Using git executable at \"${GIT_EXECUTABLE}\"")
 
-get_filename_component(ROOT_DIR ${GIT_DIR} DIRECTORY)
+set(ROOT_DIR)
+if (GIT_DIR)
+    get_filename_component(ROOT_DIR ${GIT_DIR} DIRECTORY)
+endif()
 
 set(GIT_SHA1)
 
@@ -39,7 +42,7 @@ execute_process(COMMAND
         GIT_SHA1
         OUTPUT_STRIP_TRAILING_WHITESPACE)
 if(NOT res EQUAL 0)
-    message(FATAL_ERROR "could not get the git sha1")
+    message(STATUS "could not get the git sha1")
 endif()
 
 message(STATUS "GIT_SHA1: \"${GIT_SHA1}\"")
@@ -57,7 +60,7 @@ execute_process(COMMAND
         GIT_EXACT_TAG
         OUTPUT_STRIP_TRAILING_WHITESPACE)
 if(NOT res EQUAL 0)
-    message(FATAL_ERROR "could not get the exact git tag")
+    message(STATUS "could not get the exact git tag")
 endif()
 
 message(STATUS "GIT_EXACT_TAG: \"${GIT_EXACT_TAG}\"")
@@ -75,7 +78,7 @@ execute_process(COMMAND
         GIT_DESCRIPTION
         OUTPUT_STRIP_TRAILING_WHITESPACE)
 if(NOT res EQUAL 0)
-    message(FATAL_ERROR "could not get the description")
+    message(STATUS "could not get the description")
 endif()
 
 message(STATUS "GIT_DESCRIPTION: \"${GIT_DESCRIPTION}\"")
diff --git a/src/vt/configs/generated/vt_git_revision.h b/src/vt/configs/generated/vt_git_revision.h
index a2595f2bc6..f84d6b54af 100644
--- a/src/vt/configs/generated/vt_git_revision.h
+++ b/src/vt/configs/generated/vt_git_revision.h
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@
 
 #include <string>
 
+extern int const vt_version_major;
+extern int const vt_version_minor;
+extern int const vt_version_patch;
 extern std::string const vt_git_sha1;
 extern std::string const vt_git_exact_tag;
 extern std::string const vt_git_refspec;
diff --git a/src/vt/runtime/runtime_banner.cc b/src/vt/runtime/runtime_banner.cc
index c59f24b1bd..f5f9e09c18 100644
--- a/src/vt/runtime/runtime_banner.cc
+++ b/src/vt/runtime/runtime_banner.cc
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ void Runtime::printStartupBanner() {
 #endif
 
   std::string dirty = "";
-  if (strncmp(vt_git_clean_status.c_str(), "DIRTY", 5) == 0) {
+  if (vt_git_clean_status == "DIRTY") {
     dirty = red + std::string("*dirty*") + reset;
   }
 
@@ -174,29 +174,29 @@ void Runtime::printStartupBanner() {
   auto const version = std::to_string(std::get<0>(version_tuple));
   auto const subversion = std::to_string(std::get<1>(version_tuple));
 
-  auto f1 = fmt::format("{} {}{}\n", reg(init), reg(mode), emph(mode_type + thd));
-  auto f2a = fmt::format("{}Program: {} ({})\n", green,
-                         emph(getAppConfig()->prog_name), emph(getAppConfig()->argv_prog_name));
-  auto f2b = fmt::format("{}Running on: {}\n", green, emph(all_node));
-  auto f3 = fmt::format("{}Machine Hostname: {}\n", green, emph(hostname));
-  auto f3a = fmt::format("{}MPI Version: {}.{}\n", green, emph(version), emph(subversion));
-  auto f3b = fmt::format("{}MPI Max tag: {}\n", green, emph(max_tag_str));
-
-  auto f4 = fmt::format("{}Build SHA: {}\n", green, emph(vt_git_sha1));
-  auto f5 = fmt::format("{}Build Ref: {}\n", green, emph(vt_git_refspec));
-  auto f6 = fmt::format("{}Description: {} {}\n", green, emph(vt_git_description), dirty);
-  auto f7 = fmt::format("{}Compile-time Features Enabled:{}\n", green, reset);
-
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f1, reset);
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f2a, reset);
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f2b, reset);
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f3, reset);
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f3a, reset);
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f3b, reset);
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f4, reset);
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f5, reset);
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f6, reset);
-  fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, f7, reset);
+  auto vt_version_string = fmt::format("{}.{}.{}", vt_version_major, vt_version_minor, vt_version_patch);
+  std::array< std::string, 11 > info_lines = {
+      fmt::format("{}Version: {}\n", green, emph(vt_version_string)),
+
+      fmt::format("{} {}{}\n", reg(init), reg(mode), emph(mode_type + thd)),
+      fmt::format("{}Program: {} ({})\n", green,
+                             emph(getAppConfig()->prog_name), emph(getAppConfig()->argv_prog_name)),
+      fmt::format("{}Running on: {}\n", green, emph(all_node)),
+      fmt::format("{}Machine Hostname: {}\n", green, emph(hostname)),
+      fmt::format("{}MPI Version: {}.{}\n", green, emph(version), emph(subversion)),
+      fmt::format("{}MPI Max tag: {}\n", green, emph(max_tag_str)),
+
+      fmt::format("{}Build SHA: {}\n", green, emph(vt_git_sha1)),
+      fmt::format("{}Build Ref: {}\n", green, emph(vt_git_refspec)),
+      fmt::format("{}Description: {} {}\n", green, emph(vt_git_description), dirty),
+      fmt::format("{}Compile-time Features Enabled:{}\n", green, reset)
+  };
+
+  for (auto &&line: info_lines)
+  {
+    fmt::print("{}{}{}", vt_pre, line, reset);
+  }
+
   for (size_t i = 0; i < features.size(); i++) {
     fmt::print("{}\t{}\n", vt_pre, emph(features.at(i)));
   }
diff --git a/vt_git_revision.cc.in b/vt_git_revision.cc.in
index 300c991267..e5516088a3 100644
--- a/vt_git_revision.cc.in
+++ b/vt_git_revision.cc.in
@@ -45,12 +45,18 @@
 
 #include <string>
 
+#define VT_VERSION_MAJOR @PROJECT_VERSION_MAJOR@
+#define VT_VERSION_MINOR @PROJECT_VERSION_MINOR@
+#define VT_VERSION_PATCH @PROJECT_VERSION_PATCH@
 #define VT_GIT_SHA1 "@GIT_SHA1@"
 #define VT_GIT_EXACT_TAG "@GIT_EXACT_TAG@"
 #define VT_GIT_REFSPEC "@GIT_REFSPEC@"
 #define VT_GIT_DESCRIPTION "@GIT_DESCRIPTION@"
 #define VT_GIT_CLEAN_STATUS "@GIT_CLEAN_STATUS@"
 
+int const vt_version_major = VT_VERSION_MAJOR;
+int const vt_version_minor = VT_VERSION_MINOR;
+int const vt_version_patch = VT_VERSION_PATCH;
 std::string const vt_git_sha1 = VT_GIT_SHA1;
 std::string const vt_git_exact_tag = VT_GIT_EXACT_TAG;
 std::string const vt_git_refspec = VT_GIT_REFSPEC;
diff --git a/vt_git_revision.h b/vt_git_revision.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 086d6b8abf..0000000000
--- a/vt_git_revision.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,55 +0,0 @@
-/*
-//@HEADER
-// *****************************************************************************
-//
-//                              vt_git_revision.h
-//                       DARMA/vt => Virtual Transport
-//
-// Copyright 2019-2021 National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
-// (NTESS). Under the terms of Contract DE-NA0003525 with NTESS, the U.S.
-// Government retains certain rights in this software.
-//
-// Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
-// modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
-//
-// * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
-//   this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
-//
-// * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
-//   this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
-//   and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
-//
-// * Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its
-//   contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this
-//   software without specific prior written permission.
-//
-// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
-// AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
-// IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
-// ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
-// LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
-// CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
-// SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
-// INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
-// CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
-// ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
-// POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
-//
-// Questions? Contact darma@sandia.gov
-//
-// *****************************************************************************
-//@HEADER
-*/
-
-#if !defined VT_CONFIG_GIT_REVISION_H
-#define VT_CONFIG_GIT_REVISION_H
-
-#include <string>
-
-extern std::string const vt_git_sha1;
-extern std::string const vt_git_exact_tag;
-extern std::string const vt_git_refspec;
-extern std::string const vt_git_description;
-extern std::string const vt_git_clean_status;
-
-#endif /*VT_CONFIG_GIT_REVISION_H*/