Photo by Joselyn King Danny Swan, co-founder and executive director of Grow Ohio Valley, stands alongside a mural crafted by students at Wheeling Country Day School that adorns the space at the Robert C. Byrd Intermodal Transportation Center Grow Ohio Valley will use for a public market.

WHEELING — The partial shutdown of federal government is stalling Grow Ohio Valley’s plan to open a public market at the Robert C. Byrd Intermodal Transportation Center in Wheeling.

The Federal Transit Administration is one of five parties that must approve the lease agreement between Grow Ohio Valley and the city of Wheeling, explained Danny Swan, co-founder and executive director of Grow Ohio Valley. But employees at the FTA presently are among government workers furloughed.

Grow Ohio Valley, Wheeling officials, and representatives of the Anthony Wayne Corporation already have approved the lease, Swan said. The lease is now before the FTA, and from there it next moves on to the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority.

Once the lease is approved, Grow Ohio Valley will start to move in to the Intermodal with its public market.

“We’re awaiting approval from the FTA which is shut down. Really, it is all a formality,” Swan said. “We’re waiting for a stamp of approval, and waiting for them to come back into session. Once they approve it, it bounces back to OVRTA. If they approve it, everyone has approved it.

“We’re just ready to hit the ground running.”

Grow Ohio Valley’s plan to open a public market initially sparked an outcry from other businesses, who believed the tax-exempt Grow Ohio Valley would have an unfair business advantage by not having to pay business and occupation tax.

The lease presently up for approval by all parties sets Grow Ohio Valley’s base rent at $150 per month, with an additional amount added on based on the amount of sales it has done.

The extra charge would be equal to what it would pay in B&O taxes, according to Swan.

He isn’t certain how long it will take for equipment and construction to happen for the public market at the Intermodal, but Grow Ohio Valley hopes to have the market open this spring. Produce from local farmers would be for sale, and there are plans to also offer “healthy” sandwiches at a deli within the market.

An online public survey seeking input about potential offerings has Swan “feeling enthusiasm for the project.”

Meanwhile, Grow Ohio Valley already is conducting interviews to fill three jobs at the market, including that of market manager.

A deli manager also is being sought, as is an Americorps/Vista member to serve as a liaison between the market and local farmers.