Wheeling Heritage Accepting Show of Hands Applications

WHEELING, W.Va. – May 16, 2023 – If you have an idea for a new business, a business expansion, or a project that will impact Wheeling, you are encouraged to apply for Wheeling Heritage’s next Show of Hands. The winner will leave the event with more than $4,000 to put toward his or her idea.

Wheeling Heritage’s Show of Hands program is a crowdfunding effort that supports local entrepreneurs and creative projects in Wheeling. The program hosts presentations live or via online streaming where attendees have paid to vote for their favorite project and the winner is awarded the funds raised through Friends of Show of Hands and the ballots. Since its inception in 2015, Show of Hands has funded over 30 projects and has helped to revitalize the community by supporting local businesses and initiatives.

Applications are due by end of day June 11 and can be completed at wheelingheritage.org/show-of-hands/. A committee will review all applications, and four will be chosen to move on to the presentation round.

Presentations will take place July 26 on the third floor of the Wheeling Artisan Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. with presentations starting at 6:30 p.m. Online streaming and voting will be available. To date, Show of Hands has given more than $116,000 to 30 projects.

Orrick, the program’s corporate sponsor, donates $1,000 for each event. The Friends of Show of Hands, which consists of community members and business owners, contributes $250 to each event. Friends of Show of Hands include Brian Joseph- Touchstone Research Laboratory, Warwood Armature, Kennen & Kennen Realtors, H. Lawrence Jones and Sue Blevins, Rabbi Joshua Lief & Rebecca Lief, Sikora Montessori, Bridgeway Capital, Will and Tracey Turani, Dan and Debbie Joseph, FXB, Barb & Fuzz LaRue, and Steve and Jackie Johnston.