WHEELING, W.Va. — November 8, 2026 — Wheeling has been selected for a federal economic development program that could help attract new businesses, private investment and future job opportunities.
The city is among 52 locations across West Virginia chosen by Gov. Patrick Morrisey for the Opportunity Zones 2.0 program. The selections were recently confirmed by the Trump administration.
The program offers federal tax incentives to eligible investors who put money into designated communities through Qualified Opportunity Funds. The goal is to encourage long-term investment and economic development.
Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder welcomed the announcement, saying the designation gives the city another advantage when competing for new development projects.
City Manager Robert Herron also credited cooperation between the city, Bel-O-Mar Regional Council and the Regional Economic Development Partnership for helping secure the designation.
The program could support business expansion, redevelopment and additional economic opportunities throughout Wheeling. However, the designation itself does not guarantee new projects or jobs.
The new Opportunity Zone designations take effect January 1, 2027, and will remain in place for 10 years.
City officials hope the designation will build on ongoing redevelopment efforts and encourage additional investment in Wheeling over the coming years.
Source: City of Wheeling’s official announcement, “Opportunity Zones Designation Gives Wheeling New Advantage for Economic Growth.”
