#redp

[sensoryhellhound]

[ledenews]

Spring CO.STARTERS Cohort for Entrepreneurs Begins April 21

WHEELING, W.Va. — March 30, 2026 — Wheeling Heritage and the Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED) are now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 CO.STARTERS cohort, a 10-week program designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners turn ideas into actionable business plans. The cohort is expected to begin on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Sessions will be held Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wheeling Artisan Center, 1400 Main St., in downtown Wheeling. CO.STARTERS is designed for aspiring and established entrepreneurs looking to launch or refine products, services, or business concepts. Over the 10-week program, participants receive structured guidance and real-time peer feedback as they explore key topics such as self-assessment, customer discovery, solution development, marketing, distribution, business structure, financial modeling, growth planning, and storytelling. The program concludes with a community celebration where participants share their refined business concepts. The cost to participate is $200, which includes all program materials. Payment plans are available upon request, and a limited number of scholarships are available. Applications will be accepted through April 17, or until the cohort reaches capacity, which is limited to 12 participants. This spring, the cohort will be led by facilitator Lara Graves, a local business owner of Avenue Eats (The Ave.), and Elle & Jack’s. Many past participants may already recognize Graves from her previous appearances as a guest speaker in the program. Her expanded role brings a consistent presence to the cohort, offering weekly guidance, insight, and support drawn from her firsthand entrepreneurial experience. “As a small business owner myself, I know the importance of small businesses in building a community’s economy,” said Graves. “CO.STARTERS provides the valuable tools to help support and grow the exciting concepts of our community members while on their entrepreneurial journey.” “With each new cohort, I’m always excited to see who is stepping into entrepreneurship in our beautiful city,” said Riley Carpenter, director of programming at Wheeling Heritage. “Hearing the ideas and visions participants bring to the table is something I truly look forward to. Whether you’re starting with just a dream or already running a full-fledged business, this program is designed to meet you where you are. With Lara joining us in a more consistent role this spring, we’re especially excited for the level of expertise, guidance, and support participants will receive throughout the cohort.” The cohort is ideal for creative, community-minded individuals who have an idea they are ready to pursue and are open to refining it through a collaborative process. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to build a sustainable business and the tools they can apply to future ventures. For more information or to apply, visit redp.org/costarters. Questions may be directed to Valerie Piko at [email protected]. Confirmed participants will be contacted by the RED team with payment details. Read the full article

[ledenews]

RED and Wheeling Heritage Launch Fall 2025 CO.STARTERS Cohort for Entrepreneurs

WHEELING, W.Va. – September 8, 2025 – The Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED) and Wheeling Heritage are now accepting applications for the fall 2025 CO.STARTERS cohort, a 10-week program designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners transform their ideas into actionable business plans.

The program will begin Oct. 9, 2025, and run Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wheeling Artisan Center, 1400 Main St., in downtown Wheeling.

CO.STARTERS is tailored for both aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs looking to launch new products or services. Over the 10 weeks, participants will refine their business ideas through real-time community feedback, covering essential topics such as self-assessment, customer discovery, solution development, marketing strategies, distribution, business structures, financial modeling, growth planning, and storytelling.

The program culminates in a community celebration where participants present their refined business plans.

The program costs $200, which includes all materials, with payment plans available upon request. Applications are open until Oct. 9, 2025, or until the cohort reaches its limit of 12 participants.

“Over 100 local entrepreneurs have navigated how to start their business or how to grow their existing business through the CO.STARTERS Wheeling program,” said Valerie Piko, program development manager at RED. “It’s these small businesses that create job opportunities, enhance our culture, and add to Wheeling’s growth. With a proven track record of success, we look forward to seeing this program produce the future of Wheeling small businesses.”

"We’re looking forward to working with business owners and creative entrepreneurs who are eager to learn how business works or explore the ideas living in their heads. CO.STARTERS provides the support and structure to help them take those ideas and turn them into a reality, building confidence and community along the way." Riley Carpenter, director of programming at Wheeling Heritage.

This cohort is ideal for creative, community-minded individuals with an idea they are ready to pursue and a willingness to refine it in a collaborative setting. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to create a sustainable business and the tools to repeat the process for future ventures.

For more information or to apply, visit redp.org/costarters. For questions, contact Valerie Piko at [email protected]. Confirmed participants will be contacted by the RED team for payment information.

Read the full article

[ledenews]

Designs Revealed for New Wheeling Gateway Visitors and Heritage Center

The renderings for the new Wheeling Gateway Visitors and Heritage Center were unveiled today at the site of the former Wheeling Inn on the corner of 10th and Main streets in downtown Wheeling. The drawings were completed by Desmone Designs of Morgantown, W.Va.The historic event was made possible by the Wheeling Convention & Visitor's Bureau's forged partnerships between West Virginia’s Department of Tourism, City of Wheeling, Wheeling Heritage, Ohio County, and RED. Earlier this summer, the City of Wheeling entered into a contract with the State of West Virginia’s DEP to complete full environmental remediation and demolition of the existing structure. After a public bidding process, RAZE International, Inc. was selected as the lowest-qualified bid. All environmental remediation has been completed, and the demolition team is ready to begin the careful disassembly of the building.Active demolition of the building will occur over a six to eight-week period on Mondays – Thursdays, and some select Fridays. During this time, the section of the Wheeling Heritage Trail will be closed during working hours, which is anticipated to be between 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

[champaigncypher]

☎️💔 Have you heard the latest from @kissmyegoo ? "Heartbreak" & "Hit My Line" are both available for #streaming 💔☎️ . . . . . . . . . . #ChampaignCypher #KeyPerry #RedP #Singer #Songwriter #RnB #Soul #Heartbreak #HitMyLine #NewMusic (at Champaign, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKroT2Srwek/?igshid=1x7cqblb8rujq

[champaigncypher]

💔 ICYMI: @kissmyegoo with the new single, "Heartbreak" out now 💔🎧 . . . . . . . . . . #ChampaignCypher #RedP #217 #Singer #Songwriter #Vocalist #NewMusic #NewSingle #Stream #AppleMusic #Spotify #RnB (at Chambana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKZYQgZLOq0/?igshid=14jevc1rqbgvj

[misellen]

Only a year to go and I’m on my full license!! #redp #greenp #nearlyfulllicence #almostthere #mazda323 https://www.instagram.com/p/BnkE9yiAWQf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yghwjye44yfb