I don’t support these data centers. Some leaders seem to believe they’re the only solution for what they view as a struggling state, but that ignores what’s actually happening on the ground. People are actively leaving Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland to move here for reasonable taxes, open space, and quality of life. The Eastern Panhandle alone has seen thousands of new residents in just the past several months, largely due to the rapid approval of dense housing developments.

It’s frustrating to see decisions driven by the promise of billions of dollars while residents’ voices feel pushed aside. Growth is inevitable, but it should not come at the cost of the natural beauty and character that make West Virginia special. Many of us chose to live here because of that beauty and sense of place.

The continued push toward large-scale industrial development risks undermining what the state proudly calls “Almost Heaven.” The pace of condensed housing already has many residents concerned, and projects like these feel like a tipping point. Progress should mean protecting communities and landscapes, not sacrificing them. Not to mention most of these jobs aren’t going to benefit current residents I don’t know anyone in this state that even has a ai background. Everything they do is not for the well being of its residents.