lot of the issues that kids are facing can hopefully be caught before they progress ,” Rine says .
While these additions to health care in the Northern Panhandle are exciting , Rine recognizes that none of this could happen without the work of the Medical Park Foundation and its community partners .
“ Because we ’ re a nonprofit hospital , the small margin we make goes toward recruiting top doctors to this area so people don ’ t have to travel out of the area to receive specialty care ,” says Rine . “ It also goes toward making sure our equipment is state-of-the-art so we can provide the best care possible to our patients .”
WVU Medicine is also bringing a regional cancer center to the Northern Panhandle . This approximately $ 100 million project is still in its early stages , but the estimate of its completion is 2028 .
“ The construction of the state-of-the-art regional cancer center is going to be transformational ,” says Robert Herron , city manager for the City of Wheeling . “ Not only will it change the delivery of cancer care in our region , but it will also change the economic landscape of the Centre Market area , downtown Wheeling and the city as a whole . Health care represents a significant part of the economy and is essential to the success of a community . Development around the health care industry represents an opportunity for research , collaboration and urban redevelopment . I am grateful for the vision of WVU Medicine ’ s leadership along with their commitment to the well-being of our citizens .”
Tourism
The land that once was home to the Wheeling Inn will now be the site of the Wheeling Gateway Visitor ’ s & Heritage Center . This new center merges the historical significance of its location with new experiences for those visiting Wheeling for the first time . It ’ s important to Wheeling residents that the new visitor ’ s center provides access to the Wheeling Heritage Trail and Ohio River as well as offering a stunning view of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge .
Olivia Litman , marketing director for Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau , says this center is a product of what community partnerships can accomplish . Local project stakeholders are Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau , WV ; RED ; Ohio County Commission ; City of Wheeling ; and Wheeling Heritage . Senator Joe Manchin , Senator Shelley Moore Capito and West Virginia Tourism are supporters of this project . Jim Ambrose , president of Tipping Point , is the project manager and Desmone Architects is providing the design of the center .
“ Downtown Wheeling is a true renaissance ,” says Litman . “ It is transforming before our very eyes , and it is very exciting to be a witness to this part of our history .”
Herb Faulkenberry , vice president of sales and marketing at Oglebay , describes the current renovations to the resort as an example of how Wheeling is progressing .
“ There is a buzz occurring throughout the city and county about the opportunity for growth and expansion ,” he says . “ The streetscape project concluding is a huge kudo
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