Morrissey Announces Massive Google Data Center Project in West Virginia
Communities have raised concerns over data center construction projects across the state
WASHINGTON, March 30, 2026 – West Virginia just landed a big data center deal with Google, a Big Tech investment that the state’s Republican governor has been encouraging.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, R, announced on Friday that Google had purchased land for a “multibillion-dollar High Impact Data Center Project” to be located in Putnam County, in the western part of the state.
This action, according to Morrisey, was part of a strategy to attract investment and follows other announcements of data center projects across the state.
“Google’s decision to come in to West Virginia is a strong signal that our state is competing and winning for the jobs and industries of the future,” said Morrisey. “This is exactly the kind of opportunity we are working to bring here - one that creates jobs, strengthens infrastructure, and positions West Virginia for long-term growth.”
While the project is still in its early stages according to the announcement, the governor has promised that Google will be covering the costs of electrical, water and sewer upgrades including water replenishment and onsite power generation.
According to Morrisey, Google will be covering 100 percent of the electricity used to power the facility in order to prevent energy rate increases while adding short term construction jobs and long term on-site positions once the center is up and running.
According to Clay Allsop, regional head of data center public affairs for Google, while the process is still in the very early stages, they are appreciative of the business environment created by Morrisey and look forward to working with the Governor and the local leaders on this project.
U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito R - W.Va., also praised the announcement in a post on X, noting that she believes this project would strengthen infrastructure, support job creation and drive economic growth in the state.
Community response
Community support for these types of projects has been largely negative across the state in recent months.
West Virginia Citizen Action Group, a state level advocacy organization noted in a recent blog post that industry priorities over energy and data centers are moving forward over local concerns.
Last April, local officials responded negatively to the passage of House Bill 2014, a law designed to attract data centers to the state while removing some incentives from local communities.
The law redirected property taxes from data centers and microgrid developments to a state-managed income tax reduction fund. Only 30 percent is returned to the host county where the data center is located, with another 10 percent distributed on a per capita basis among all counties. The remaining 10 percent is split between an economic enhancement grant fund and an electric credit stabilization fund.
On March 20, over 400 residents showed up to a community meeting in Berkeley County hosted by Berkeley County Commissioners Eddie Gochenour and John Hardy and voiced their concerns over a $4 billion project announced in the county earlier this month.
According to reporting by The Journal, residents raised concerns around water usage, traffic, noise, air quality and how a project of this scale could get approval without local oversight.
Member discussion