WHEELING — With millions of dollars in investments around every corner — particularly in the downtown area — many people would say that the city of Wheeling is currently undergoing an unprecedented renaissance, and in many cases Wheeling Heritage is behind the scenes helping to facilitate the city’s rebirth.

Through historic preservation, community development and the arts, Wheeling Heritage serves as a narrator of sorts of the story of Wheeling’s future. It’s a story of a bright future that is not only being told by Wheeling Heritage, it’s something they’re helping to promote and to achieve.

Scott Schenerlein, executive director of Wheeling Heritage, has served in his current role at the organization for the past three years — and it has been a very busy time.

“I had worked for Oglebay for 29 years in sales and catering before I came to Wheeling Heritage,” Schenerlein said, noting that they basically sought him out, so he interviewed for the position and decided to make the move. “I’d done a lot at Oglebay, and I thought if I could do something to help downtown Wheeling — it was totally poised for an upswing — and I thought ‘why not?’ Let’s make a change.”

Schenerlein oversees the operation of the nonprofit Wheeling Heritage, which is one of 62 National Heritage Areas in the United States.

“Our mission is to be a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling,” Schenerlein said. “We do that through arts and culture, grants and investments, small business development, historic preservation and so on. Really, my job is to oversee the organization and to set the tone or set the pace of where we’re going. And I’m very lucky that I get to work with some really great people.”

Wheeling Heritage plays a role in several efforts that help propel the city forward. From helping to secure grant funding for private ventures to partnering with public entities on major revitalization projects, the organization takes a multifaceted approach in helping Wheeling put its best foot forward.

In the past, the organization has played a key role in numerous developments around town — from the development with Orrick at Celeron Plaza, construction of the Intermodal Parking Complex and development of Heritage Port. Along with a number of grant programs and grassroots promotion of the city’s many assets, Wheeling Heritage continues to help shape the future of the downtown area and beyond.

Most recently, Wheeling Heritage helped oversee a total renovation of the Wheeling Artisan Center, which not only houses the organization’s offices but also is home to River City Restaurant, the newly relocated Artisan Center Shops, a large reception area on the third floor and more.

“That building is really a community building,” Schenerlein noted. “It’s used for a lot of events.”

The organization has also played a significant role in helping to move the Wheeling Gateway Project forward next to the Wheeling Suspension Bridge on the site of the former Wheeling Inn, working in conjunction with the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, consultant Tipping Point and the team that has been putting together plans to help facilitate that multimillion-dollar development.

“I think the Heritage Center inside the Gateway Center is going to be a big thing over the next three years,” Schenerlein said. “It’s one of the larger projects that we’re involved in.”

Assisting with grant funding for private developments, Wheeling Heritage also helped with the redevelopment of the Bridge Tavern building, the SMART Center relocation to Main Street, the redevelopment of the former Berry Supply Building into Waterfront Hall, the planned redevelopment of the historic 1400 Block of Market Street, and many other ventures.

“None of this happens without people and organizations working together,” he said. “That’s the key. When you go and try to get money, if you go together and have all of your ducks in a row and have got your priorities set, people tend to follow your lead.”

Wheeling Heritage also recently spearheaded an effort called “Live Here,” providing a wealth of information designed as a resource for anyone looking to come to the Friendly City. The highlight is something everyone seeks when they’re looking to relocate — quality of life.

“We’ve put together a guide basically that talks about living in Wheeling,” Schenerlein said. “If you were from out of town, it certainly would be a piece of information that you could get a hold of, and it would help answer some questions for you. We want to be a catalyst for that future growth. We talk a lot about growth and retention, and that’s something that certainly we’ll continue to work on.”

More projects that have not yet been announced are on the horizon, Schenerlein said, but efforts will continue to help drive traffic downtown, to town and around town.

“I think we’re playing a key role in getting these projects moving,” he said. “The future is bright.”