Economy/Transportation - Economy
 Wheeling has always been a city willing to roll up its sleeves to get the job done, and now with its economy diversifying, the city is continuing to stride ahead into a changing marketplace. Local economic development groups have joined forces to aggressively stimulate the local economy by creating jobs and encouraging local entrepreneurs, via a successful small business incubator and venture capital programs, to start up new businesses. These groups have also found ways to retain and expand existing business and industry, while vigorously marketing Wheeling nationwide in order to attract new companies to the community. The Wheeling area's economy has been changing from heavy industry to state-of-the-art manufacturing, information/service-based office operations; advanced technology/research and a growing heritage/tourism industry.
Wheeling has been a strategic location for manufacturing operations
from its earliest glass- and steel-making days to the present. The
area's workers have been very adaptable to the major changes affecting
manufacturing, while local educational institutions anticipate changing
technology by providing the necessary training for the future and
present labor force. Metro Wheeling's quality-oriented workers, extremely
competitive power rates (25 percent below the national average),
abundant water and raw materials and its ideal location to reach
major markets can work together to make any business more profitable.
Major corporations have moved "back office" operations to Wheeling because they found that the area has everything a growing business needs: a skilled and productive labor force, lower payroll costs tied to a lower average cost of living, lower office space costs, proximity to a major international airport, an attractive location that makes recruiting effortless and most importantly, advanced telecommunications to provide fast, efficient service and keep pace with changing technology. Specifically, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe law firm located their Global Operations Center to the former Wheeling Stamping Building in Center Wheeling in 2002.
Metro Wheeling is a prime location for technology and research/development companies, with two factors in the forefront. The 20-acre Millennium Centre Technology Park was created to provide very attractive, secure, competitively priced space. The development of the National Technology Transfer Center at Wheeling Jesuit University (see Technology) is the central point of access for federally-sponsored research and development, technology-oriented venture capital and U.S. technology research and analysis.
 Although Wheeling is well-positioned to play an active role in technology-oriented ventures, the city is also looking to its significant past as a catalyst for downtown revitalization. From its beginning when Wheeling was at the young nation's frontier, the city has been characterized by intense waterfront activity and beautiful natural settings. The city has had historic roles as a port of departure for westward expansion and as a "Port of Entry," making it an important location on the Ohio River. To conserve and develop Wheeling's natural and cultural resources, the Wheeling National Heritage Project began in an effort to establish new recognition for Wheeling.
The plan originated with the late Harry Hamm, Wheeling newspaperman and editor. In 1990, the Wheeling Heritage Area Task Force was formed with the support of U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D- W.Va., and is beginning to revitalize Wheeling's downtown area. In 1996, the Wheeling Artisan Center opened as the first Heritage Area project, followed in early 1998 by the $11 million Intermodal Transportation Center and the completion of Wheeling Heritage Port in 2001. Cabela's, the world's foremost outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear will locate a 1-million sq.-ft. distribution center and a 175,000 sq.-ft. retail facility at the Fort Henry Industrial Park in the fall of 2004.
Remaining initiatives of the plan are broken into six Wheeling districts, with each district having a venue portraying an aspect of Wheeling's history. The Downtown Core will consist of the Crossroads, Waterfront and Civic Area. The Historic District includes Center Wheeling, North Wheeling, and Wheeling Island. The experience of these districts will be organized by a "Heritage Trail," by which visitors are led through the chronology of Wheeling's story.
The first stop along the Heritage Trail will be a Visitor Reception Center at the Crossroads at Main and Market streets near the Suspension Bridge and Market Plaza. A 19th Century shopping area will also be located here. After this orientation, visitors will proceed along the trail to the Waterfront.
The second stop in the Heritage Trail will be the most exciting, as Wheeling's story as a "Port of Entry" is told at the Waterfront. Here, new restaurants, a hotel, and specialty stores will be located. The new Intermodal Transportation Center opened in March 1998 providing a 900-car parking garage. A new public space with a 19th Century feel, and a port facility will be constructed. Existing building on the Waterfront will be renovated ~or shops, restaurants, and nightspots. Overall, the Waterfront will become a place where both residents and visitors will be entertained by musicians, festivals and boat rides.
The Civic Area, the third and last stop on the trail, will be located at West Virginia Independence Hall. School children are expected to be a consistent audience for this historic site and the story of West Virginia's formation.
In the Historic District, Center Wheeling will be the location of a new "intown industrial center" and industrial park, Center Wheeling will tell the story of Industry and Labor in Wheeling as visitors tour historic factories and visit merchant and worker housing.
The efforts at North Wheeling will concentrate on conserving the neighborhood's Victorian architecture for residential use, home tours, and bed & breakfasts,
Wheeling Island will become the home of a Bridge Museum at the foot of the Suspension Bridge where it touches down on the island. The Heritage Plan also includes developing marina activities and overnight accommodations on the island.
Implementation of the Wheeling National Heritage Project is expected to take 10 years and cost more than $57 million, The objectives of the plan are to provide numerous attractions, encouraging more visitors to come to Wheeling and stay over a longer period of time, Wheeling's tourism is growing, So is the economy, The Wheeling National Heritage Task Force is confident that this plan will add to the five million who visit each year, develop and preserve the city and create new jobs and business in the area. New visitation to the Heritage Park venues is expected to bring in $20 million annually.
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