The Monroe County Commission seeks to clarify circulating rumors and misinformation on social media platforms, including Facebook, concerning the potential development of a data center near Ballard. Discussions regarding economic development opportunities in the area began when the Commission learned of approximately 20 acres of land near Ballard that could support such initiatives.
The Commission engaged with the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (GVEDC), which owned property associated with M-Rock, to explore the possibility of constructing an additional building to attract a business similar to M-Rock.
After a site visit, GVEDC declined to pursue the project. Subsequently, state officials in Charleston were informed of the land and conducted a visit with representatives from a prospective data center company. The Commission has not been provided with the name of the company or any further details about the proposal.
Key facts include:
• House Bill 2014 (the Power Generation and Consumption Act of 2025), enacted last year, prohibits counties and municipalities from enacting, adopting, implementing, or enforcing ordinances, regulations, or rules that limit the creation, construction, development, expansion, or operation of certified high-impact data centers and associated microgrid districts. This includes exemptions from local zoning, noise, lighting, land-use restrictions, building permits, inspections, and code enforcement.
• Monroe County is not uniquely targeted; representatives of the data center company have toured sites in counties across West Virginia.
• The Commission, as a governing body, requires additional information to evaluate the proposal fully. Key areas of concern include the environmental impact, financial implications for the county (such as infrastructure demands and tax revenue effects), and details about data center operations and buildings. These issues remain significant for each Commissioner.
• The Commission would welcome public meetings to discuss the matter but currently possesses no additional information beyond what is stated here.
• Only one meeting during a regular or special session has addressed data centers – a discussion with a single concerned citizen in December.
The Commission acknowledges the valid concerns expressed by residents and shares many of the same questions regarding potential impacts. However, recent state legislation has removed local authority over certified projects of this nature, limiting the Commission’s ability to regulate or influence them.
If opposition to data centers persists, the Commission encourages residents to contact their state legislators and representatives, as authority now resides at the state level. As additional information becomes available, the Commission will share it transparently with the public.
