Cord Byrd: “there is a renaissance occurring in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle. In the city of Wheeling, through the Wheeling…”

“there is a renaissance occurring in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle. In the city of Wheeling, through the Wheeling National Heritage Area initiative, local leaders are revitalizing areas of cultural and historic significance in order to create a brighter future for their community. On August 15, I had the opportunity to attend the dedication of the latest milestone in these revitalization efforts--the Wheeling Heritage Port, which is nestled on a bank of the magnificent Ohio River. Wheeling, the Mountain State's first capital, is not only rich in natural resources, but also in history. In its beginnings, Wheeling was a small outpost that represented the westernmost point of eastern settlement in a young country. Because of its location, Wheeling became the window of the West and a gateway to the unknown. Travelers flocked to this new epicenter of commerce and transportation in pursuit of fortune and adventure. After the Civil War, Wheeling, and much of the Northern Panhandle, experienced a postwar industrial expansion that brought to the area great prosperity that would last well into the 20th century. A booming economy, combined with a natural beauty and a genteel society, ushered in an era of Victorian splendor. However, as market demands changed, Wheeling--along with most industrial regions throughout this nation and across West Virginia-- repositioned itself, transitioning from an industrial base to a more diverse, high-tech economy.”