Through various multi-million-dollar investments, the fourth-largest city in the Mountain State is receiving a much-anticipated facelift. Located in Ohio County, Wheeling, West Virginia, is a far cry from a sleepy Appalachian town, and these new projects to revitalize its historic downtown are a testament to the region’s development-friendly atmosphere.
The city’s transformation kicked off in Fall 2022 with a $32 million, two-year streetscape project, which includes total rebuilds of Main and Market streets and new infrastructure throughout the downtown area.
“As part of this project, the city of Wheeling has gone in and replaced their waterlines and all of their utility lines that run underneath the streets. They’re changing the complexion of the city with sidewalks and landscaping,” says Ohio County Commission Administrator Randy Russell, likening the downtown construction scene to a war zone. “But once it’s complete, I think it’ll be a much-needed addition to the city.”
Since this venture began, additional revitalization projects have started, adding to the current construction warzone.
Wheeling developer Barry Allen announced a $63 million project to construct an upscale, multi-use hotel, retail and event center in May. Located along an entire city block, this new facility will replace the former Wheeling Coffee & Spice Co. and National Equipment Co. buildings by Wheeling’s waterfront.
While the project’s plans have yet to be finalized, the facility is slated to house 122 guest rooms and eight condos with views overlooking the Ohio River. The first floor is expected to feature a coffee shop, restaurant and wine bar.
What Ohio County Has to Offer
Russell believes that these endeavors build upon what Ohio County is already known for: its quality of life. With a lower cost of living and a strategic location in close proximity to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, communities across Ohio County allow companies and individuals alike to “enjoy the big city life while being far enough away to still have that small community atmosphere,” explains Russell.
This benefit, paired with the county’s central location on the I-70 corridor and network of local universities and community colleges, has attracted an array of distribution, health care and manufacturing companies to the region. Due to this close-knit environment, various partnerships between economic development leaders, academia and industry have formed.
The Ohio County Development Authority is currently working with local businesses to create internship opportunities for high school and higher education students.
“We’re figuring out what is needed first. We are still in the first stages of that,” explained Ohio County Development Authority Growth & Retention Manager Stephanie Hockenberry. “We are working on a workforce collaborative effort that is looking to connect kids at all levels, seeing how we can network them into the community better in order to help retain them and really show them what’s available within the county and the region. We want them to know what’s here, what’s available. There’s a lot of good things.”
West Liberty University is set to launch a new aviation program at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport during the Fall 2024 semester.
Photo courtesy of Wheeling-Ohio County Airport
One of the county’s latest partnerships strives to address the nationwide need for pilots. Marshall University has partnered with West Liberty University to launch a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Commercial Pilot: Fixed Wing Program at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport this coming fall semester.
The Ohio County Commission and the Regional Economic Development (RED) Partnership worked closely with both universities to create this opportunity.
“In addition to the aviation program at the airport, we’re hoping to bring in some additional employers, such as parts manufacturers, that are aviation-related,” says Russell. “We have plenty of sites that we could choose from if someone was interested in locating in Ohio County.”
Over the last decade, West Virginia’s aerospace and aviation industries have experienced significant growth. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of aerospace manufacturing companies in West Virginia increased by 37.5%, according to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.
In the last year, multiple industry leaders, including Aurora Flight Sciences (a Boeing company) and Northrop Grumman Corporation, expanded their operations in the state.
By bolstering a strong workforce pipeline for this industry, as well as others, and providing a place where people want to live, Ohio County strives to cement itself as a beneficial partner for expanding companies.
