Population growth.

For years, this issue has been one of our region’s biggest challenges, yet also one most elected officials are unwilling or unable to discuss.

Consider these numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau:

– The Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area — Ohio, Marshall and Belmont counties — had a population of 152,850 in 2000. At the end of 2024, those same three counties had a combined population of 135,136 — an 11.6% decrease in residents in 24 years.

– The city of Wheeling, this region’s economic hub, had 31,382 residents in 2000. Today, the estimate is 26,208. That’s a 16.5% decrease in residents during that two decade-plus span. And the figure is dropping at an average rate between 0.5% and 1% each year.

– If you go back to 1900, Wheeling’s population was 38,878 and climbing. It would peak in 1930 at 61,700 residents. Since then, it has steadily declined.

It would make sense, given where the city’s been, that this would be a regular topic of discussion — a serious topic of discussion. And yet … no one really wants to talk about how we bring new people here, how we bring new investment here, how we set a vision that will help our region focus on growth and the future. Instead, we talk about quality of life (yes, that’s important) while the actions of some of our appointed city boards at times do little more than build roadblocks for new investment.

Why? Because, as one city elected leader said, traffic in certain areas already is heavy, and when that area also leads to WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, then why would the city’s planning commission want to allow a new business in a properly zoned area that will bring more traffic?

Is that something to be concerned with? Of course. Is that something that should automatically lead some members of that board to try and find ways to say a new business is unwanted? Of course not. A vibrant city is one that, more often than not, will have traffic. A vibrant city is one that is working directly with the business community with the intent of helping businesses in locating here, not keeping them away. Telling a potential business — and also telling a property owner — that what they’re offering isn’t wanted simply because it might bring cars to an area makes little sense. Surely there’s a better approach.

It’s this simple: we should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. We can ensure our neighborhoods and our cities provide an excellent quality of life (as they already do) while also working under the idea that we will welcome and work with new businesses as we prepare for the future. Doing one without the other will not end well for a region where the population continues to shrink and age.

This problem, though, is about more than one business. Many of our youth go away for college … and don’t come home. It’s not because they don’t want to live here, but if you have a professional degree, local job opportunities are limited. At one time it was hoped that remote work options would help our region grow, but now that many companies are requiring employees to return to the office, that idea’s time has passed.

What’s the solution? That’s the real question.

The solution is obvious — we need more people and more jobs. How does that happen? It most certainly doesn’t happen if it’s a topic local leaders are unwilling to seriously discuss. It doesn’t happen if we stick our heads in the sand and hope that someone else comes up with a solution. It doesn’t happen if we don’t set forth policies now to create an atmosphere that is both people and business friendly. It doesn’t happen if we can’t even agree on a vision — or even have discussions on a vision — for what we want our region to be (an advanced manufacturing hub or a health care hub are two ideas) in the future.

What happens if nothing changes? As we’ve noted previously, with population decline, more and more of the tax burden is foisted on the remaining residents. Government will continue to grow — it’s nature is simply to tax and spend. Growing communities spread that burden among a broader taxpayer base. Communities that are not growing … well, the cost is carried by fewer people.

The issue is real, but there are some promising signs. The WVU Medicine Regional Cancer Center in Center Wheeling brings $120 million in investment and potentially thousands of new jobs. We finally are seeing the finish line with the Downtown Streetscape Project. Several potential new housing developments could help this region attract folks looking to live here but unable to now due to an outdated housing stock.

The folks here are working hard to make this community the best it can be. What is needs now, more than possibly ever in its history, is leadership willing to tackle the tough problems and set a realistic path for the future. And the first step in that is acknowledging that population decline is a problem and setting forth a project plan through which it can be addressed.

Are current city and county leaders up to the task? They have to be. The future of our communities rests on their actions in the coming years. We have no time to wait.