Data Centers: Talk of the Panhandle

The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia is experiencing significant public discourse regarding data center development, following the 2026 Regular Legislative Session. One major public meeting held on March 20 at Spring Mills High School in Berkeley County attracted around 700 attendees. Hosted by Berkeley County Commissioners, the meeting focused on a proposed data center by Fundamental Data near the school. Many residents expressed anger and strong concerns about the project's potential impacts. A second public meeting, sponsored by the Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Center for Civil Political Communication at Shepherd University, featured a four-person panel. Chris Morris from Governor Patrick Morrisey's office and industry executive Dado Slezak supported data centers, while Amy Margolies of Tucker County United and Jefferson County Commissioner Cara Keys raised significant concerns. The discussion centered on House Bill 2014, passed in 2025, which critics argue lacks proper safeguards regarding water usage, property taxes, and local control. Keys noted that a majority of attendees favored accepting data centers with proper safeguards. The article highlights three primary concerns: water regulation, property tax distribution, and the ban on local zoning control. HB 2014 assigns half of data center property tax revenue to the state and only 30% to counties, contrasting with states like Virginia where local governments receive substantial revenue for public services. The ban on local zoning is particularly contentious, as it removes the ability of counties and municipalities to regulate data center development, a power retained for other businesses. The author calls for elected legislators in 2027 to restore local control, local tax revenue, and strengthen water protections, citing Arkansas's reversal of a similar ban on local zoning.