West Virginia Lands $4B Data Center, 125 Jobs

West Virginia just landed one of the biggest private investments in state history, and it didn't cost taxpayers a single dollar.

Penzance Management announced plans to build a $4 billion data center campus on 548 acres in Berkeley County's Falling Waters District. The project will create 125 full-time permanent jobs and approximately 1,000 construction positions, with room to grow as the campus expands.

The facility earned designation as West Virginia's first High Impact Intelligence Center. At full buildout, it will span 1.9 million square feet and deliver 600 megawatts of computing power for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and advanced manufacturing.

Governor Patrick Morrisey credited the state's business-friendly policies for attracting the tech giant. Recent legislation streamlined permitting processes and allowed companies to build microgrids using reliable energy sources including coal and natural gas.

Victor Tolkan, Penzance's managing partner, said West Virginia created exactly the right environment for digital infrastructure investment. The company chose the state specifically because of policies championing data economy development.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about one company or one county. The project's revenue structure spreads benefits across the entire state in smart ways.

Half the revenue will fund personal income tax reductions for West Virginians. Berkeley County keeps 30 percent for local needs, while the remaining 20 percent supports all counties, electric grid security, and economic development grants statewide.

Berkeley County officials are already identifying creative solutions that benefit everyone. Commission President Eddie Gochenour said preliminary discussions revealed opportunities to use reclaimed water, which would lower company costs, save taxpayer money, and preserve natural resources.

The announcement caps an impressive streak for West Virginia. Since October, the state has secured over $10.5 billion in new private investment and 9,000 projected jobs. Combined with federal programs, total investment commitments now approach $12 billion supporting more than 10,000 jobs.

West Virginia is proving that states willing to create clear, business-friendly policies can compete for cutting-edge tech investment and win big for their communities.