Senator Shelley Moore Capito Seeks $1 Million Earmark For Wheeling Artisan Center
Trending
WHEELING -- U.S. Sen. Shelley Capito is seeking to boost Wheeling Heritage's plans to enhance local retail opportunities on the first floor of the Artisan Center.
Capito, R-W.Va., has included an earmark -- or "membership designated project request" -- for $1 million in the fiscal year 2022 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
The funding would assist Wheeling Heritage with efforts to expand local retail offerings on the first floor of the Artisan Center and provide more opportunities for entrepreneurs, said Alex Weld, executive director of Wheeling Heritage.
"The Artisan Center could be so much more," she said. "There are more things we can do to further help small businesses and spur entrepreneurship."
Wheeling Heritage has a proposed plan to move the Artisan Center shop from its current location on the second floor to the first floor. The shop features items crafted by local and regional artisans.
The River City Restaurant already on the first floor would be decreased in size, and a couple of additional store fronts would be added facing Main Street. These also would be geared toward local and regional vendors, according to Weld.
Office space would take over the space in what is the current Artisan Center shop, she said.
"Our goals always are to help support small business, make the building sustainable," Weld said. "What better way than to move the shops to the first floor and get more eyes on the items. This would allow us to increase our store space, and encourage entrepreneurs."
The request states the project "would fund a shovel-ready upgrade to the Wheeling Artisan Center to expand the center's capacities to support entrepreneurs, artisans, cultural activities, and heritage tourism," according to information provided by Capito's office.