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WHEELING -- The benefits of living in a small town are being viewed in a newly enhanced light by officials in the city of Wheeling, who are trying to focus on some silver linings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this unprecedented year, people across the country and around the world were thrust into a "new normal" of their daily routines because of the coronavirus outbreak and need to remain socially distanced. From classrooms to many workplaces, the daily rituals for people of all ages in large part have moved into a virtual world.
Many people are realizing that performing various daily tasks not only is possible to do, but it is often more efficient.
Wheeling City Council approved a resolution Tuesday authorizing City Manager Robert Herron to negotiate terms and enter into an agreement for a worker feasibility study with the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott said this worker feasibility study will help the city meet the needs for the growing trend toward a remote workforce that likely will continue after the COVID-19 pandemic finally subsides.
"One of the side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the reconfiguration of the American workplace -- particularly for white-collar employees who are able to work remotely," Elliott said. "This has caused many companies in dense, urban areas to reevaluate their need for expensive office space going forward beyond the pandemic."
The city wants to stay ahead of this trend, Elliott said.
"For Wheeling, this is a terrific opportunity to market our small-city livability and low cost of living," he said. "This study will examine our infrastructure, housing and amenity needs of remote workers and identify areas for strategic investment."
According to the resolution, the city of Wheeling is committing $19,000 to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for the worker feasibility study.
These funds will be used as a match for the Bel-O-Mar Regional Council, in partnership with Wheeling Heritage, for the application to complete an in-depth study of "how the city of Wheeling can diversify its economy, and recover from job loss and population decline by creating an accommodating environment for remote workers."
Throughout most of the pandemic, Wheeling City Council members have conducted much of their public business remotely, holding the majority of their council meetings via Zoom online and live streaming the meetings on the city's official Facebook page. On Tuesday, council held its last meeting of the calendar year virtually, and as promised, the mayor and all members of city council were dressed in their holiday best as part of a successful fundraiser.
In conjunction with the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, council members of some members of the city administration took part in a Silly Suit fundraiser. The goal of the effort was to raise at least $3,000 to benefit the United Way's annual Operation Toy Lift, which helps local children in need have a brighter holiday.
Council members proudly appeared clad in loud seasonal suits, ugly sweaters and even some twinkling lighted accessories.
"Next year, we're going to get Mr. Herron to do a little big more than that tie," the mayor said, "but the tie is certainly a good step."