11.30.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:03 pm by City of Wheeling
Why do people feel a connection with their communities? And how does that sense of community affect their commitment? And how does this commitment affect local economies? Economists, sociologists, psychologists, and marketers spend years trying to answer these heavy questions. Looking at this a little differently and with a slightly open perspective may make you laugh and will hopefully make you think.
Wheeling is a small city with an unbelievable amount of creative people. There are more visual artists, performers, writers, and musicians in, around, and from the Ohio Valley than there are grapes in Sonoma. Ok, maybe not but the point is made.
The genre known as the “Creative Class” doesn’t just apply to the art of a city. It also applies to the soul. Those who make things with their minds rather than with their hands are also included in this so-called creative – or knowledge- class. So transforming an economy from an industrial-base to a creative-base means that artists as well service industry, hospitality, marketers, bankers, brokers, attorneys, and sales people must not only find work in a city but connect to a city. Moreover, why is this important?
If people feel connected they start to make a personal investment, which means great things for the local economy. They buy homes. They buy locally. They attend events. They join churches and civic groups and gyms and the local service staff knows them by name. They become the soul of the city. So, how does Wheeling create a creative community?
The first step is to have pride and a sense of connection ourselves. Grand gestures aren’t necessary but a few small steps will make a big impact. Start investing (emotionally) in your community (which is really an investment into yourself) by doing things like eating at the little place in your neighborhood, grab some fruit from a farmer’s market, stop by the local hardware store and then pass it on to your friends. If we invest in our city, others will too!
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04.23.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:36 am by City of Wheeling
Wheeling, WV has ranked as one of America’s Top100 Places to Live! RelocateAmerica.com, a website that provides relocating consumers & area residents with access to local community resources has released its annual listing of “America’s Top 100 Places to live for 2009.”
This is really a big deal. If we can continue this positive momentum, we can achieve greatness beyond our wildest dreams! This announcement is so exciting….WE know that we have potential….but when others from the outside looking in think we’re awesome then we MUST take action. NOW is the time to do something. WE ARE WHEELING, WV….and proud of it! In order to be considered for the list a community must be nominated at http://www.RelocateAmerica.com. Relocate-America’s editorial team reviews nominations and selects the TOP100 cities based on interviews with local leaders, feedback from residents and economic, environmental, education, crime, employment and housing data for the past year. Only cities in the TOP10 are numerically ranked.
The Top 10 communities from “America’s Top 100 Places to Live in 2009” are:
- Tulsa, OK
- Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Raleigh/Durham, NC
- Huntsville, AL
- Houston, TX
- Albuquerque, NM
- Lexington, KY
- Little Rock, AR
- Oklahoma City, OK
The complete Top 100 List along with community profiles, photos & video can be viewed at http://top100.relocate-america.com/
2009 Relocate America’s TOP 100 Places to Live Award Winners* denotes TOP10 Overall
| Wheeling, WV |
West Des Moines, IA |
Great Falls, MT |
Chattanooga, TN |
*RelocateAmerica is operated by trueV New Media Group*
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02.24.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:26 am by City of Wheeling
City’s Web Site Gets Cutting-Edge Upgrades
Wheeling, WV - In partnership with the Community Connect Foundation and AT&T, the City of Wheeling has been working to improve the delivery of government services that allows visitors and local residents to access information about their community.
Enlisting the help of Beyond Marketing, Community Connect Foundation was able to facilitate a two-part project to upgrade the City’s modern Web site. The first part was to create a mobile application for the City’s Web site which allows cell phone users to access the site from their phone(s). In addition, they also created an application that will allow all city and some county forms to eventually be accessed and completed online. These two applications will further extend e-government services to all residents increasing government efficiency and transparency.
The mobile application will allow visitors and residents the ability to conveniently access city information on their web enabled cellular phones. The simple interface and navigation allows users to easily find local restaurants, upcoming events, or even contact a city official. This application is the first of its kind in West Virginia and with the prevalence of web enabled devices looks to be an effective way to promote the offerings of the city quickly and conveniently.
The online form application is part of a broader effort on behalf of the city to streamline government services so they better serve the public. The ability to access and submit online forms for such as Business License Applications, B & O Forms, and Zoning Certificates will provide a level of service that will save time and money for both the citizens and the city. These forms will be accessible on the City of Wheeling Web site and will include both city and county forms.
“The City of Wheeling strives to be as business and user-friendly as possible.These upgrades are a great advancement towards reaching our goal of being the technological benchmark”, says Mayor Andy McKenzie.
The City currently maintains the WheelingWv.gov Web site and is using this site to promote government services, business, tourism, and quality of life.
For additional information please contact Joelle Ennis, the City’s Marketing and Community Relations Specialist at
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12.29.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:55 pm by City of Wheeling
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Wheeling is home. And an entire generation of us have of left for greener pastures….and so the question is why? And what would bring you back? Countless phone calls and e-mails go around every day from the “lost generation” of people who are actively or wishingly trying to move back. And we need your help to make it happen!
Leave posts here (or send e-mails directly to the city at info@wheelingwv.gov) about what would bring you back to Wheeling. Be as specific as possible. We know that everyone wants “a good job”….but this is your chance to let your voice be heard loud & clear by saying things like “i’m a physical therapist” or “a white-collar job in the technology field”. And please keep going - what types of nightlife/entertainment gets you going? What types of retail or eateries do you wish Wheeling had?
We will be presenting the information left here directly to the city manager, mayor and city council and people who are involved with economic development.
Help us save our city and be part of the solution! |
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11.19.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:58 am by City of Wheeling
WHEELING, W. Va. – In an effort to better serve the public and government employees in Wheeling, W. Va., the city is partnering with Verizon to expand wireless broadband access to key downtown areas.
With a $75,000 grant from Verizon West Virginia, the City of Wheeling now can construct a secure Wi-Fi network in the downtown area that will improve the efficiency of certain government operations and allow visitors and local residents to enjoy wireless broadband access at local downtown venues.
In a press conference today at the Wheeling City-County Building, Mayor Andy McKenzie applauded Verizon for the grant.
“Technology is important to the progress of the City of Wheeling,” said Mayor McKenzie. “Through partnerships with companies like Verizon, we are able to make this a reality. We look forward to providing wireless access in the City-County Building and elsewhere in downtown for our city employees and the public.”
Wi-Fi – a system of connecting computers to the Internet using radio waves instead of telephone lines or cable – is expected to be expanded in the City of Wheeling early next year.
John R. Ruddick, vice president of public affairs, policy and communications for Verizon West Virginia, said, “As West Virginia’s leading broadband company, Verizon is enabling more residents and employers to make the high-speed connections that are important to them. This project will improve Wheeling city employees’ efficiency and make the downtown area even more attractive.”
About the City of Wheeling:
A charter change in 1992 created a dynamic partnership among local government, residents and the business community. The City Council and Administration forged a team that is user- and customer-friendly. A newly reorganized Department of Economic and Community Development is customer and project-oriented, distinct from a bureaucratic, permit-based operation. The City Council, working with a broad base of residential and business citizens, has adopted a new Comprehensive Plan for the city that calls for preserving and improving its wonderfully distinct neighborhoods as well as for focused economic growth. City government is proving itself with its commitment to the plan as well as with its partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood organizations and the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation.
About Verizon Communications:
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 71 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 10:56 am by City of Wheeling
Wheeling, WV- There is a lot of buzz about what young people think in Wheeling. Students at West Liberty State College, Wheeling Jesuit University, and West Virginia Northern Community College will get the chance to have their voices be heard on numerous issues. They have a lot to say and community leaders are listening.
The City of Wheeling and partners The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Economic Development Partnership will be holding a series of town hall-style meetings. The purpose of the meetings is to engage college students and faculty in the forward progress of Wheeling. The panelists will ask and answer questions from the audience on the various college campuses throughout the region. The discussions are designed to get people involved in and excited about life in Wheeling.
Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie said, “It’s very exciting to reach out to the community, especially to young people, to help us move forward with economic development. We are interested in what people want and how we can work together to use their ideas for the enhancement of the City.”
The schedule for the meetings is:
Wednesday, November 12th at 12:30pm, West Liberty State College, Student Union
Thursday, November 13th at 11:00am, Wheeling Jesuit University, Swint Hall (The Ratt)
Tuesday, December 2nd, at 11:00am, WVNCC (Wheeling Campus), B & O Building Auditorium
All students, faculty, administrators, and media are greatly encouraged to attend. Those who are attending may answer the panelists’ questions or bring their own. The goal of these events is to connect with the community to make life in the Wheeling area extraordinary by promoting development and creativity. Anyone who lives, works, attends school, or just has an interest in Wheeling is welcome.
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact (304) 234-3617 or info@wheelingwv.gov.
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07.08.08
Posted in Uncategorized at 6:07 am by City of Wheeling
After several months of development, the City of Wheeling has unveiled its new Web Site at http://www.wheelingwv.gov!
To say we’re excited about this new site is a gross understatement. This is a positive step toward progress, growth, and the regeneration of our city. There is an obvious and contagious new ‘energy’ here. I don’t remember another time when young people were actively trying to stay here after college, trying to move back, and/or choosing Wheeling as their home. This feeling transcends demographics. It’s good for everyone.
Something as seemingly mundane as a new web site is just part of this movement.
It’s powerful. It’s happening, folks. It’s happening.
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01.23.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:22 pm by City of Wheeling
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