Lack of New Housing in Wheeling Discussed During Economic Forum
Joselyn King Trending
WHEELING -- People coming to take jobs in Wheeling look locally for housing, and don't always like what they see, say local real estate experts.
Prospective businesses and their future employees may be shying away from coming to Wheeling and the Ohio Valley because they don't like the types of housing they see here, the experts said. They add many people want new housing, and that isn't typically available here.
The topic was discussed during the Economic Outlook Conference Thursday at the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack sponsored by the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce.
"Particularly those relocating -- they hate our housing inventory," said Bob Kennen, broker with Kennen and Kennen Realtors.
He recounted helping one client who was moving to Cameron to take a job, and in the end they opted against living in the vicinity.
"They were not impressed at all with our inventory because they came from Colorado," Kennen said.
In the end, they decided on a home in Washington, Pennsylvania.
"Can you imagine the drive from Washington, Pennsylvania to Cameron?" he continued. "People asked, 'Why would he do that?' My answer is always the same. Mama wanted a new house."
He knows of others who have turned down jobs locally because they couldn't find a house they wanted or "nice" rental property.
Matthew Gilley, president of operations for Omega Realty, suggested the area should build housing to meet the needs of key demographics. Most of those locally are in the 65 and older demographic, while the next largest demographic is age 45 to 55.
"You start building for that, and create the next building phase to grow off of," he continued. "While doing that, you're building the infrastructure for what you hope to bring into the area."
Josh Jefferson, president and CEO of Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED), said housing is not typically a subject an economic development group addresses.
But as there is major investment happening to establish large employers in areas throughout West Virginia housing is becoming an issue, he explained.
"At one time, they were bringing buses of employees from Washington County to Orrick (in Wheeling)," Jefferson said.
He suggested partnerships between government and the public sector might help "knock down the risk factors" for those investing in the construction of new housing.
"The most important thing is creating an infrastructure where those investing in it can make a profit," said Bob McGee, chief investment strategist for WesBanco. "That's the bottom line. You can build it, but if nobody comes, you've lost money."