Zende Settling In as New Wheeling Chamber President

There’s a part of him that feels the public and private sectors groomed for this position.

Experience with the Jefferson County Chamber; owner of multiple businesses; manager of a reborn Centre Market district; and more than 16 years as the economic development specialist for the City of Wheeling.

And that was only a few items featured on Kurt Zende’s professional resume when he tossed his hat into the ring to follow Erikka Storch as the president of the Wheeling Chamber of Commerce. 

“I am very excited about this opportunity because it feels as if it’s been a long time coming,” the newest president said. “I know most of the players in town, I know what a Chamber needs to do for the members and for the community, and I believe what we need to do now is to enhance the Chamber’s benefits to its membership.

“We need to create more networking opportunities that give business owners an opportunity to because stronger by expanding what they do,” Zende explained. “It is only going to help this area if we have a very strong business community because that atmosphere will attract even more businesses into this area. Our role in economic development involve the quality-of-life aspects so we all can live in a better place.”

One of the biggest reasons he decided to enter the competition to become the Chamber’s new leader was what he has seen take place in Wheeling’s commercial areas over the past five years, including the downtown area where residential living has increased with more to come. Plus, the Vagabond Kitchen, Taqueria 304, and Tito’s Sloppy Dogz have opened, and the Bridge Tavern and Grill has undergone major renovations. 

“There is a lot of work taking place right now in the downtown and if that wasn’t the case, all of the buildings would be dark if not for companies like Roxby Development, Coon Restoration, and the others,” Zende said. “What Roxby is doing with the McLure House and the Scottish Rite Cathedral is amazing, and that is why we will assist them and other developers in any way we can in the future.

“I’d like to see some of the principles that we used at Centre Market start to be utilized here in the downtown area, and a lot of those principles came from the Main Street program that was initiated several years ago by Wheeling Heritage,” he said. “I would like to see the same strategy concerning beautification and development extend from 23^rd Street all the way to 10^th Street so we can see a full transformation take place in downtown.”

Building by Building

To Zende, redeveloping Centre Market appeared like a puzzle that had most of the pieces already in place, but the missing ones were nowhere in sight. While the two historic market houses were there and Coleman’s Fish Market was in operation, but along both Market Street and Lane B were a plethora of vacant structures.

Once the City’s plan to revitalize the Centre Market was announced, building owners placed several of the structures on the market and the properties were quickly purchased by owners interested in renovating and renting.

It was Zende who worked with local entrepreneurs to establish what frequently is a bustling commercial district, and he feels as the Wheeling Chamber’s president, he can accomplish the same. 

“There are not too many better men than Bob Herron. We were a good team, in my opinion,” Zende said. “He was the person who sent me down to Centre Market at the perfect time, and he and council gave me the resources I needed to be effective there. We were able to partner with the private sector and it was a great relationship, and that’s why I believe we can do the same thing in downtown and in other parts of the city of Wheeling.

“There were a lot of people and business owners who help make Centre Market the attraction it is today, and I am proud that I played a role with it,” he said. “We just got all of the players together and made it work.”

But how?

“I think it’s terrific the City of Wheeling and the Ohio County Commission are coming together so they can work together in the future, and the Wheeling Chamber is looking to work collaboratively with Wheeling Heritage and the Regional Economic Development Partnership because I have identified a few things I believe we can do for the community,” Zende said. “I would also like to involve the Convention and Visitors Bureau and several other entities because I feel that’s the best way to make a lot of positive things happen.

“I feel the best way for us all to move forward and to grow in every way is to work together,” he said. “So, my goal is to enhance the relationships the Chamber already has, and to create new partnerships that make the most sense for all involved.”

A City’s Challenges

Without much notice, Alecto-West Virginia shuttered the campus of the Ohio Valley Medical Center more than two years ago leaving more than 800 employees jobless. 

The decision also abandoned more than 80,000 square feet of interior space without no buyer in sight. The campus rests along Chapline Street in Center Wheeling and includes six large, multi-story structures. 

What did the future hold? That is why Herron, very soon after the Wheeling Council voted in favor of acquiring the massive campus, dispatched Zende to recruit businesses and non-profits to lease space, and to research redevelopment opportunities.

“When I was assigned to the former OVMC campus, that was a big challenge, but now there is an indication that something big could happen soon on that massive property,” he said. “Almost two years when the City acquired that property, we didn’t what was possible, so I was charged with evaluate the buildings, determine their best use in the future, market them the best way possible, and keep the maintenance up.

“I had a great crew on that campus,” he insisted. “Those folks did what they needed to do to help and the City, and Roxby really assisted us with the cleaning of the buildings and really settings them for future development.”

He feels the same about Storch and her seven years as the president of the Wheeling Chamber.

“I don’t think anyone realizes what Erikka Storch accomplished during her time as the president,” Zende said. “What she went through during the pandemic could have been a total tragedy but somehow she maintained the membership and the financial stability of the Chamber. She did a masterful job, and I honestly couldn’t have done it. She was the right person for the job, that’s for sure.

“Before Covid, Erikka guided the Chamber toward more growth in membership, and she was the leader of the business community when it came to conversations with city and county government,” he continued. “I plan to use her example during the time I serve in this position and help the city of Wheeling grow once again.”