ECD
Grant Programs
Brownfields
Brownfields are defined as,
"abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion
or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination."
This is a comprehensive program that addresses brownfields issues in Wheeling.
Brownfields Programs are as follows:
1. Brownfields Assessment Demonstration
Pilot Program, funded by the US EPA, to provide environmental assessment activities on
brownfields sites in Wheeling.
2. Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund
Pilot Program, funded by the US EPA, to provide loans for remediation of contaminated
brownfields in Wheeling.
3. The CDBG Brownfields program, funded by
the Community Development Block Grant program, that has additional financing for eligible
brownfields activities.
4. The City was also awarded a Brownfields
Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grant by HUD, for the Celeron Plaza redevelopment
project in Wheeling.
Building Demolition
Property owners within the City of
Wheeling have the responsibility to either maintain or raze the buildings they own.
Irresponsible owners may expect the City's Building Inspection division to issue a Raze or
Repair Order. Failure to comply with the Order may result in either a fine, or
imprisonment, or both.
In some instances, where the public's
health and safety is at risk, and there is no other recourse, the City will intercede to
raze and clear vacant, derelict structures using the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Program as a funding source. The City does not take possession of the
affected property, but does place a lien against it for the cost of demolition and other
related costs. Ever since the early 1990's, Wheeling City Council has authorized the
City Administration to aggressively raze an alarming number of vacant structures that are
economically unfeasible to rehabilitate. It is anticipated that the Building
Demolition Program will continue for some years into the future as a way of eliminating
blighted structures within our community.
Economic Development
Revolving Loan Fund
The EDRLF is a program that provides
low interest, gap financing to businesses located in Wheeling. Funded businesses must
create employment opportunities for unemployed or underemployed residents of the City.
HOME Program
In 1996 the City of Wheeling, along
with five other governments (Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, and Marshall Counties and Weirton,
West Virginia), entered into what is now known as the (West Virginia) Northern Panhandle
HOME Consortium. Annually the Consortium receives a grant from the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make home ownership more affordable to our
citizens. Each of the jurisdictions mentioned above offers the First Time Homebuyer
Program, whereby forgivable loans of up to $10,000 are made to eligible first-time
homebuyers. The loans are intended to provide down payment and closing cost
assistance to those who have never owned a home before and whose total, annual household
income is at or below HUD's Section 8 Income Guidelines for their household size.
There is no pay back requirement on the
loan. Instead, the borrower's "payment" is to agree to live in the house
for at least five years. As long as there is no transfer of ownership, and the house
is the primary residence, at the end of the five-year affordability period the loan is
forgiven. In effect, it becomes a grant.
The City of Wheeling's Economic and
Community Development Department administers the First Time Homebuyer Program for the City
of Wheeling and for Ohio County.
Public Improvements
The City of Wheeling administers public improvements projects on an annual basis. These
projects include steps, retaining walls, street paving, sidewalk and curb replacement,
improvements to public recreational facilities, and waterline & sewer line repair and
replacement.
Public Service Agencies
The City provides funding to public
service agencies in the City of Wheeling. The City is limited to 15% of the annual CDBG
funds for this program. To be eligible for CDBG funds, a public service agency must
benefit those persons who are low to moderate income, and can include persons who are
physically / mentally challenged and the elderly.
