CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Thursday announced a planned $4 billion private investment to develop an intelligence center campus in Berkeley County, calling it a historic economic opportunity for the state.
Morrisey said Penzance Management is making the $4 billion private-sector investment to build a campus spanning more than 500 acres. The proposed site would provide up to 600 megawatts of energy capacity to support data and artificial intelligence operations.
The governor said the project could put West Virginia on track for its strongest year of economic development on record.
The development is expected to generate more than 1,000 construction jobs and at least 125 permanent positions. Officials have not yet released pay details for the full-time roles.
Berkeley County Commission President Eddie Gochenour said local leaders are excited about the potential impact, describing it as a rare and significant opportunity for both the county and the state.
Morrisey credited the state’s High Impact Intelligence Center law, passed last year, with helping attract the investment. The legislation streamlines permitting and establishes a tax distribution formula aimed at benefiting schools, counties and taxpayers.
He also emphasized that infrastructure costs tied to the project would be covered by developers rather than taxpayers.
The governor said the development would address environmental and community concerns, including noise, water usage and property setbacks. Proposed data centers elsewhere in the state have drawn concerns about air and water quality, and state leaders said they are working to address those issues early in the planning process.