The Consolidated Appropriations Act, which provides funding for Fiscal Year 2026, not only averts another government shutdown, it packages five different full-year funding bills for the federal government. This “minibus” package was approved by the House on Tuesday after the Senate tweaked and approved the consolidated bill on Friday.

Congressionally Directed Spending or member sponsored “earmarks” are included in the package, and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va), Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) and U.S. Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) helped sponsor several line items targeting funding for the Mountain State – including funding for a number of projects in the Wheeling area.

During Tuesday night’s meeting of Wheeling City Council, City Manager Robert Herron announced that he was informed that some big projects were included in the bills that were passed and were expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump.

“I’m pleased to announce that this afternoon, I received an email from Sen. Capito regarding action taken on the budget in Washington,” Herron said. “Eleven of 12 Budget Appropriation Bills for fiscal year 2026 were approved. The president, if he hasn’t already signed them, is expected to sign them today.

“Once again, our federal legislators really came through for the city of Wheeling, led by Sen. Capito. Included in the appropriations bill are Congressionally Directed Spending allocations.”

A big chunk of money is being directed toward the planned construction of the new Wheeling Gateway Center at the site on Main Street formerly occupied by the Wheeling Inn hotel. A capital stack of funding is being assembled for the project, which is expected to highlight the historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge, include a new visitor’s and heritage center, showcase Wheeling’s history and likely include a rooftop restaurant, observation platforms and more.

Part of the conceptual plans for the Wheeling Gateway Center include a stand-alone elevator to connect the center with Heritage Trail down below. Funding for this component of the project has been included in the appropriations bill, Herron noted.

“The Gateway Center Trail Connector, which is the elevator down to the Heritage Trail for the Gateway project at the old Wheeling Inn site, is getting $2 million dollars,” he noted. “That was sponsored by Congressman Moore and Sen. Capito.”

Also included in the bill is another $2 million for the Northern Parkway Improvement Project, which was sponsored by Moore, Capito and Justice, the city manager noted.

Herron added that the Wheeling Police Department will be receiving $250,000 for Neighborhood Resource Units through Congressionally Directed Spending sponsored by Capito, and the Wheeling Park Commission will be awarded $5.6 million for historic building renovations through another earmark, also sponsored by Capito.

“We’d like to thank Congressman Moore and Sens. Capito and Justice for their hard work on behalf of the city and the state as a whole,” Herron said. “They did a very, very nice job in coming through with Congressionally Directed Spending. We’ve had a lot of success with that. This year has been a very successful year, and we’re already planning for next year.”