WHEELING, W.Va. – September 10, 2026 – The Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED) and Wheeling Heritage are now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 CO.STARTERS cohort, a 10-week program designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners turn their ideas into actionable business plans.
The program begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, and will meet Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wheeling Artisan Center, 1400 Main St., in downtown Wheeling. Space is limited.
CO.STARTERS is designed for aspiring and established entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow a business, product, or service. Participants will explore topics including customer discovery, marketing, business structures, financial modeling, growth planning, and storytelling while receiving feedback and support from the group. The program concludes with a community celebration where participants present their business plans.
The Fall 2026 cohort is ideal for creative, community-minded individuals ready to pursue an idea in a collaborative setting. Participants will leave with practical tools and a stronger foundation for building a sustainable business.
For more information or to apply, visit redp.org/costarters. For questions, contact Valerie Piko at vpiko@redp.org.

