Our brief history as the "new" Wellston Chamber

The new Wellston Area Chamber of Commerce was born in February 2026 after a series of impromptu meetings between several downtown business owners: 

• Renee Wheatley and Leanna Grey from Lockard Insurance,
• Scot Sturgill from Scotty's on 1st Sports Bar & Grill
• Troy Thacker II, a local insurance agent and property manager at T&A Professional Services
• Rick Callebs, owner of Callebs LLC | Sports & Trophies
• Brett Grey, a partner in the Grey-Wheatley Group, a residential and business property management team.

The general consensus was that no organization represented or advocated for "brick and mortar" business owners in downtown Wellston. Jackson and Oak Hill had robust and active Chambers of Commerce but Wellston no longer did. There was a huge need to promote and support all of Wellston's businesses and market our community in a positive light to new business ventures and existing businesses that wanted to grow. 

We also needed collective advocacy for infrastructure improvements, including large scale projects that would make our city more attractive to investors and entrepreneurs. From these meetings and brainstorming sessions, the new Wellston Area Chamber of Commerce was born.

At one time, Wellston did have an active Chamber of Commerce. The original Chamber was incorporated in June 1982. Wellston was a much different city 45 years ago. The downtown was bustling, the local coal mines were very active, and the consolidation and regionalization of business was just starting to happen in large cities but had not impacted southeast Ohio yet. 

Wellston and Jackson were very self-contained, with each city having their own collection of small, locally-owned businesses that offered groceries, clothing, shoes, automobiles, sundry products, auto parts, medical care, dining, and more. No big box retailers anywhere in the area and very few 'chain stores'. Wellston and Jackson even had their own (separate) newspapers and radio stations.

The economic decline that hit southeast Ohio with the closing of coal mines and manufacturing plants hit Wellston particularly hard. The impact on the local business community was a major factor in the original Wellston Chamber disbanding around 2017. 

But things are turning around. New entrepreneurs are taking over legacy businesses, a number of commercial properties have been renovated by younger business owners and are bringing new life back to older buildings, and at least three industrial/commercial sites have been bulldozed, cleaned up, and are now shovel-ready for their next life as a viable business. 

Your Wellston Chamber wants to take an active role in bringing business to Wellston. This is a wonderful city with good people, good schools, a responsive and proactive city government, excellent police, fire, and EMS service, primary and specialty health care close at hand, a growing number of outdoor recreation opportunities in the area, a variety of churches, a reasonable cost of living, and a workforce second to none. 

Wellston Means Business! 

We're excited to be part of the rebirth of one of Ohio's iconic coal towns. Consider supporting the Wellston Area Chamber of Commerce with your membership and by taking an active role in our projects and services. We'd love to have you!