Mayor Denny Magruder traveled to Washington, DC, on April 8–9 alongside City Manager Robert Herron, Wheeling CVB Executive Director Frank O’Brien and Marketing Director Olivia Litman, Wheeling Heritage Executive Director Scott Schenerlein, Ohio County Development Authority Growth and Retention Manager Stephanie Hockenberry, and the City’s consultants to advocate for federal support of key infrastructure, economic development, and revitalization projects. The delegation met with Senator Jim Justice, senior staff from Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s office, Congressman Riley Moore, Chair Gayle Manchin and the Appalachian Regional Commission, officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Discussions focused on securing congressional funding, agency partnerships, and grant opportunities to advance the Wheeling Gateway Center, improve transportation infrastructure, and strengthen tourism and outdoor recreation in Wheeling and Ohio County. While in Washington, Mayor Magruder also attended a White House Executive Order signing by President Trump related to coal, reflecting the Trump Administration’s commitment to supporting energy communities like Wheeling. City and county officials were encouraged by the strong interest from federal partners and are optimistic about continued momentum for their ongoing efforts.   Mayor Magruder says, “Wheeling appreciates our WV congressional delegation and the President’s team for having that Wheeling feeling, and championing the next steps on our economic and community revitalization endeavors.”

Key meetings included: 

• Office of Senator Capito: Delegation members met with Senator Capito’s senior staff, including her Chief of Staff and Appropriations Legislative Assistant, to discuss the City’s FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending request to support the Wheeling Gateway Center. This request represents a resubmission of the City's FY25 application and remains a top funding priority for Wheeling. Officials also expressed appreciation for the Senator's leadership in championing the Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024, which expanded the U.S. Economic Development Administration's eligibility criteria to include tourism-focused projects and created a more accessible pathway for communities like Wheeling to advance transformative initiatives such as the Gateway Center.

• Senator Justice: Wheeling officials met with Senator Justice and his staff to express appreciation for the Senator’s past leadership in promoting tourism development during his tenure as Governor and to provide a progress update on the Wheeling Gateway Center. The conversation also focused on FY26 appropriations priorities, with the delegation emphasizing the Gateway Center’s regional significance in advancing heritage tourism, small business growth, and community revitalization. In addition to the Gateway Center, officials highlighted critical transportation infrastructure needs across the City, including plans to seek federal support for the reconstruction of the Northern Parkway and long-overdue improvements to the Wheeling Heritage Trail system, which serves recreational and commuter purposes for residents and families.

• Congressman Riley Moore: As a newly appointed member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Moore is well-positioned to advocate for West Virginia priorities. During the meeting, Wheeling officials shared updates on the Gateway Center and other pending grant applications, and discussed how the Congressman’s office might help elevate the City’s federal funding priorities. The Congressman expressed strong enthusiasm for the City’s ongoing revitalization efforts and reaffirmed his interest in working closely with local leaders.

• Appalachian Regional Commission: During a meeting with ARC Co-Chair Gayle Manchin and senior staff, Wheeling and Ohio County leaders expressed appreciation for ARC’s continued support and provided updates on local development efforts. Officials highlighted progress on the Wheeling Gateway Center, which is being supported by an ARC POWER grant, and discussed how the project is helping to attract economic activity to the downtown area. The conversation also included updates on the Ohio County Development Authority’s efforts to strengthen the local workforce, support local entrepreneurs, and coordinate with regional partners to build on existing momentum.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture: Delegation members met with USDA Office of Urban Agriculture representatives to share updates on Ohio County’s composting initiatives and its partnership with Grow Ohio Valley. Officials highlighted the success of a pilot composting program launched through this partnership and expressed interest in expanding the program’s reach in the future. The discussion also provided an opportunity to learn more about USDA’s broader efforts to support local food systems, agriculture, and land reuse, and officials expressed interest in continuing the dialogue around future collaboration.

• White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs: The delegation met with the Deputy Director for Local and Tribal Governments to follow up on the Executive Order signing on coal, which Mayor Magruder attended. During the meeting, officials emphasized how the Wheeling Gateway Center advances the Trump Administration’s commitment to revitalizing coal communities by transforming a long-vacant and blighted property on lands impacted by old coal mining, into a dynamic hub for economic activity. The project supports job creation, boosts tourism, and attracts new private investment while honoring West Virginia’s coal heritage and positioning Wheeling for long-term growth.

 The delegation was very encouraged by the strong reception received in Washington. From the White House to Capitol Hill to federal agency partners, there is a clear interest in supporting Wheeling’s future.