High Impact Intelligence Center Coming To Berkeley County

Penzance Management will develop a $4 billion intelligence center – the first of its kind in the state – in the Falling Waters District of the Eastern Panhandle in Berkeley County.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey, flanked by members of the state legislature and county officials, made the announcement Thursday afternoon. He credited House Bill 2014, the Power Generation and Consumption Act, and House Bill 2002, both of which he signed into law last April, with creating the business-friendly environment he said put West Virginia ahead of other potential sites. 

“If you focus on the fundamentals, the site selection and remediation, the water, the sewer, the ability to access strong energy, purchase agreements, broadband and investing in our people, wow – there’s nothing that could stop us, and that’s been our focus,” Morrisey said.

The 1.9-million-square-foot center will sit on 548 acres. It’s expected to create roughly 1,000 construction jobs and 125 full-time, permanent positions upon completion.  

Penzance’s managing partner, Victor Tolkan, said the company develops the property for hyperscalers – companies that operate large data centers – but declined to say if such a tenant has been confirmed or who they might be. 

“We find land, we entitle land, we work with the municipalities to get what we need, which is powered land, appropriately produced, and then we partner with the hyperscalers who will effectively be our tenants,” Tolkan said. 

He added, due to the nature of companies that need large scale data centers, sometimes – even when there are signed leases and tenants in the buildings – those companies are not identified.   

Morrisey’s office said the revenue generated from the project would go back to West Virginia including 50% for a Personal Income Tax Reduction Fund; 30% to the host county; and 10% distributed to all counties on a per capita basis.