Warwood residents, state delegate raise concerns over proposed data center at town hall
Residents of Warwood, West Virginia, along with State Delegate Shawn Fluharty, held a town hall meeting to voice strong concerns about a proposed data center. Attendees expressed worries about health impacts, noise, electricity, water consumption, and property values. A key point of contention was House Bill 2014, which residents and Fluharty claim stripped local communities of control over such developments.
Residents of Warwood, West Virginia, and State Delegate Shawn Fluharty convened a town hall meeting at the Warwood Veterans’ Association to address a proposed data center development. The primary concern among attendees was the perceived lack of local control over such projects, which Delegate Fluharty attributed to House Bill 2014, a state law he claims eliminated local ordinances and community say in development decisions.
Community members expressed a range of worries, including potential negative impacts on property values, environmental concerns, and health effects. Gary Joseph, a resident, specifically cited fears regarding noise, increased electrical expenses, and water pollution and consumption, noting his proximity to the proposed site.
Other residents, like Aidan Kosol, voiced frustration and fear about the project's implications for Warwood, Wheeling, and Ohio County, seeking guidance from officials on how to respond. The identity of the company interested in the site remains unconfirmed, with some speculation that it may originate from North or South Carolina. It was also mentioned that the company might not have properly completed its application through the state commerce department.