AGP Executive Report

Healthcare Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including West Virginia, will get $500 Obamacare “user fee” refunds starting in October, tied to alleged overcharges from the federal exchange. Broadband Expansion: Armstrong Telecommunication plans to build more than 500 miles of fiber using BEAD/LEAD and FCC support, targeting high-speed service for rural homes and small businesses in 10 West Virginia counties. Rural Hospitals: HHS/HRSA awarded nearly $25 million to help small rural facilities keep doctors and nurses, with multiple West Virginia hospitals named. Public Safety Funding: Rep. Riley Moore delivered $1 million for renovations to Fairmont’s Watson Fire Station to update facilities and improve equipment access. Local Economy & Recreation: Beckley is developing a trail network that could top 40 miles, aiming to shift the city further into outdoor tourism. Energy & Policy: A West Virginia regulator update says the PSC is set to deny NextEra’s MARL transmission line review delay, keeping the project on a tighter timeline. Community & Business: Harrison County’s Owl Creek Market held a ribbon cutting at Meadowbrook Mall, adding a new local vendor hub.

Broadband Expansion: Gov. Jim Justice announced a major rural fiber push in West Virginia, targeting more than 5,000 previously unserved locations and supporting about 10,000 rural homes and small businesses through BEAD and other programs. Environmental Accountability: West Virginia AG Jeff Jackson and DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson highlighted a nearly $600M PFAS-related settlement with DuPont/Chemours (reported as the largest state environmental damages recovery), aimed at securing clean drinking water and repairs. Rural Healthcare Workforce: Morrisey announced $2.4M in Rural Health Transformation funding for Ascend WV to expand employer-based health efforts to attract and retain healthcare workers. Local Infrastructure Funding: Congressman Riley Moore delivered $5M in federal funding for bridge improvements in Clarksburg, including Dublin, Sixth Street, Wiant Hollow, PFC Hotty Herrick and Fourth Street bridges. Business & Community Growth: Parkersburg Art Center and partners will host the Parkersburg Piccalilli Artists’ Conference Sept. 18, mixing workshops, grant and marketing sessions, and a keynote by illustrator Rosalie Haizlett. Policy & Consumer Impact: Trump announced $500 Obamacare exchange refunds for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states using Healthcare.gov, tied to alleged excess user fees. Workforce & Youth Migration: WVPB’s “Us & Them” explores whether young West Virginians will stay or leave amid weak economic growth and data-center development concerns.

Rural Healthcare Workforce: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $2.4 million Rural Health Transformation Program award to expand Ascend WV, aiming to recruit and retain healthcare professionals in West Virginia’s rural communities and help fill staffing gaps. Education & Legal Fight: Mingo County parents filed suit to block the statewide expansion of the Hope Scholarship voucher program, arguing it violates the state constitution; Treasurer Larry Pack says his office will defend the program and says public schools still need help. AI Skills for Students: Thunkable wrapped up a Rockefeller Foundation-supported AI education pilot in West Virginia high schools, with about 120 students building roughly 80 mobile apps. Nuclear Ambitions: Federal plans for “Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses” include handling spent fuel and could pair nuclear sites with energy-hungry industries like AI data centers; West Virginia signed an MOU to be considered. Public Safety: “Operation Coal Country” led to 59 arrests targeting noncompliant sex offenders across southern West Virginia. Business & Community: Ace Hardware in Bluefield donated $200 (matched to $400) to the God’s Gift Foundation for home renovation help. Regional Infrastructure: Virginia and West Virginia officials discussed progress and funding gaps for the Coalfields Expressway/US-121 corridor. Workforce Development: Fairmont State University received a Boeing Foundation grant to fund scholarships for students on its robotics team.

Education & Workforce: Musselman High School principal Alicia Riggleman was named West Virginia School Principal of the Year at the inaugural Champions of Learning Gala in Charleston, highlighting top statewide leadership. School Disruption to Recovery: Lewis County middle school students are moving into the historic WVU Jackson’s Mill campus for the school year after flood damage, with classrooms and labs reshaped on site. Public Safety & Telecom: West Virginia and other state attorneys general are pushing the FCC to tighten “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to curb illegal robocalls, citing massive scam volumes and losses. Tax & Economic Development: States are rethinking big sales-tax breaks for AI data centers as costs balloon—Ohio’s exemption is now far more expensive than first estimated, and lawmakers are considering rollbacks and new rules. Energy & Jobs: Gov. Jim Justice announced West Virginia signed a memorandum with the U.S. Department of Energy to join the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses effort, aiming at billions in investment and thousands of jobs. Business Climate: The Secretary of State’s office reported 1,796 new business registrations statewide in August, led by Kanawha, Berkeley, Raleigh, Monongalia and Harrison. Local Business: Allegheny Disposal marked 20 years in operation, tracing its roots to the mid-1980s County Disposal era.

Hope Scholarship Legal Fight: Mingo County parents sued to block the program’s universal expansion, arguing Dingess Elementary’s closure would leave families without a nearby full-time alternative; State Response: Treasurer Larry Pack says the anger is “misdirected” and his office will “aggressively oppose” any attempt to reverse the expansion. Energy Regulation: West Virginia regulators opened a rulemaking process for HB 2014, inviting public comment on how utilities must maintain generating units and fuel inventories to hit a 69% capacity factor. Public Utilities Recognition: Morgantown Utility Board’s water and wastewater plants again earned national Peak Performance Awards, with Morgantown’s water also receiving a taste award. Economic Development & Historic Preservation: Mercer County approved a $215,000 repair agreement to move forward on the Bramwell Depot roof project. Tech Leadership: WVU named Kimberly Clark, a former Twitter and Charles Schwab executive, as its new chief information officer. Public Safety: Gov. Morrisey highlighted statewide 2025 declines in violent crime, property crime, and overdose deaths.

School Meals Watch: A new ProCare Therapy report ranks Vermont No. 1 for school lunch and breakfast reach, with West Virginia placing No. 3—highlighting how states boost participation and reduce barriers for families. Labor Dispute: The Teamsters Local 175 strike against The Beverage Market has dragged past 100 days, with union leaders saying management is stalling and aiming to weaken the union. Energy & Courts: West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey sued Pennsylvania in federal court over laws that block out-of-state renewable-energy credits, arguing the rules drive up costs and shut competitors out. Power Line Hearing: West Virginia’s PSC will keep a major evidentiary hearing on the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) on schedule after rejecting a delay request, disappointing landowner advocates. Rural Health Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $2.4 million in first Rural Health Transformation Program awards to expand employer-based primary and specialty care access. Food Insecurity Aid: The FirstEnergy Foundation is sending $1.1 million to West Virginia and Maryland food banks to support hunger relief and millions of meals. Data Center Push: West Virginia certified two high-impact Mason County data center projects, including Nscale’s Monarch Campus and Starwood Digital Ventures’ “Project Tamarack.” Consumer/Privacy Legal Pressure: McCuskey called Meta’s $17 billion child-safety settlement a “smart business move” and flagged Apple’s iCloud as the next target.

Permitting Reform Watch: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito says federal permitting changes are “as close as we’ve ever been” and could move this week, arguing delays are choking major investment. Consumer Protection: AG JB McCuskey reports 401 scam complaints in August and warns of new tactics, including impersonation of West Virginia state representatives and video-call sweepstakes/lottery scams. Energy & Courts: A federal bankruptcy judge is weighing law-firm conflict claims in the Pleasants Power Station case, where lenders and the debtor dispute whether the same firm represented both sides. Wildlife & Research: West Virginia biologists are testing tiny “backpacks” on juvenile crayfish at a state hatchery to track survival and movement when standard tracking devices are too large. Health & Workforce: West Virginia Wesleyan expands graduate-level addiction treatment and care certifications with a $246,125 grant. Local Business & Community: Mission Appalachia gave away a renovated Buckhannon home after months of work, with proceeds supporting local food outreach. Infrastructure: WVDOH awarded bridge and road contracts, including a $4.82M deck replacement project on a Doddridge County bridge.

Consumer Watch: West Virginia AG JB McCuskey says the Consumer Protection Division logged 401 scam reports in August, led by Medicare scams, plus new warnings about callers impersonating state representatives (including spoofed WV numbers) and video-call sweepstakes/lottery scams. Energy & Courts: West Virginia sued Pennsylvania in federal court over limits on energy credits, arguing the rules illegally favor in-state producers and violate the Commerce Clause. Power & Infrastructure: WVDOH awarded a $4.82M contract to rehab the Route 50 Doddridge County bridge decks and support structure, part of 13 August projects. Renewables/Storage: Google, MN8 and Eos are backing an 86MW round-the-clock solar-plus-storage project in West Virginia, built on a reclaimed coal mine. Local Business: Take Me Home Soda Shoppe & Creamery is opening at WVU’s Mountainlair with West Virginia-themed ice cream and dirty sodas. Agriculture Grants: The West Virginia Farmers Market Association is accepting applications for its 2026 mini-grant program (due Sept. 18). State Money Back: Treasurer Larry Pack reports more than $3.2M in unclaimed property returned in August. Education Policy Fight: Mingo County parents sued to block universal expansion of the Hope Scholarship, arguing it violates the state constitution’s “thorough and efficient” schools requirement.

Consumer Scams Watch: West Virginia AG JB McCuskey says the Consumer Protection Division logged 401 scam reports in August, led by Medicare fraud, plus schemes impersonating state representatives and “video call” sweepstakes/lottery cons. Energy & Growth: A new political climate is pushing West Virginia’s “50 by 50” plan to grow power capacity from 16 to 50 gigawatts, betting on coal, natural gas, nuclear and renewables—while warning infrastructure and regulatory swings could slow momentum. Rural Health Policy: Rep. Jill Tokuda and others introduced the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act (REH 2.0) to strengthen the rural ER model as many hospitals struggle to convert. Education & Courts: Mingo County parents sued to block universal expansion of the Hope Scholarship, arguing the voucher growth outpaced updates to the school funding formula. Local Economy/Jobs: West Virginia highlighted major private-sector investment—$96 billion—supporting more than 19,000 projected jobs. Community & Safety: The state also flagged ongoing scam reporting and consumer warnings, while local coverage included a Scruggs Volunteer Fire & Rescue chief retirement after 29 years.

Rural Health Policy: U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (with WV Rep. Carol Miller) introduced the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act, aiming to fix barriers that have kept only about 40 rural hospitals from converting to the REH model. Education & Courts: Mingo County parents sued to block universal expansion of West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship, arguing the voucher growth outpaced updates to the state’s school funding formula and threatens a local school closure. AI Data Centers & Power Costs: A new national report highlights growing backlash to AI data centers, with residents citing strain on the power grid and rising electricity bills—an issue that’s already driving policy fights in multiple states. Energy/Investment: West Virginia’s business pipeline remains active as leaders tout major private-sector investment and new project commitments tied to the state’s energy and manufacturing push. Community & Local Economy: A Fairmont garbage contract review and other local government procurement items signal ongoing cost and service decisions that can ripple into household budgets. Sports & Local Interest: WVU’s home opener vs. Coastal Carolina is set for Saturday, with coverage focused on game-day logistics and betting lines.

AI & Data Centers: Nscale says it has about $103B in contracted revenue, nearly doubling its backlog after a $45B Anthropic deal tied to 460 megawatts of capacity at a West Virginia campus expected to come online by end of 2027, as the company eyes a September 2026 New York IPO. Local Impact & Permitting: Gov. Patrick Morrisey used the West Virginia Chamber’s Business Summit to argue for more data center growth while the state approved additional “high-impact” projects, continuing a fight over power and water strain and local control. Consumer Watch: AG JB McCuskey warns West Virginians about new scam tactics, including state-representative impersonation and video-call sweepstakes/lottery fraud. Business Expansion: Village Caregiving, based in Barboursville, added seven offices (including Massachusetts and Montana) and created 160 jobs as it expands to 22 states. Community & Heritage: Thurmond, a nearly abandoned railroad town inside New River Gorge National Park, is lining up a legal fight over planned demolitions. Local Economy: A Dave & Buster’s second West Virginia location in Westover/Morgantown is set for a Sept. 21 ribbon cutting ahead of its official opening.

Data Center Fight in the Spotlight: Gov. Patrick Morrisey used the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce summit to push more “high-impact” data center development, even as public opposition grows over power and water strain, and the state approved new projects. Rural Health Funding: Morrisey announced $2.4 million in Rural Health Transformation awards to help West Virginians stay healthy and working, with details on grantees and employer-based coverage. Consumer Watchdog: AG JB McCuskey warned West Virginians about new scam tactics, including impersonation of state representatives and video-call sweepstakes/lottery fraud. Local Business Growth: Village Caregiving, based in Barboursville, expanded to seven new offices across multiple states, adding 160 jobs while keeping its values-driven care model. Insurance Industry Win: Assure America swept three Erie Insurance District Sales Awards across commercial, personal, and life lines. Energy & Rates: WVU’s arena naming rights with Hope Gas drew fresh scrutiny as customers brace for another potential rate hike. Tech Capital Markets: Anthropic’s IPO timeline reportedly shifted later in September/October, while AI cloud firm Nscale is seeking major pre-IPO financing tied to big-name contracts. Community & Events: Nature Wonder Weekend registration opened for Sept. 11–13 at North Bend State Park, and a new Dave & Buster’s location in Westover is set for a Sept. 21 ribbon cutting.

Business Openings & Local Economy: Dave & Buster’s is set to officially open its second West Virginia location with a ribbon-cutting in Westover on Sept. 21, bringing a new arcade-and-restaurant entertainment draw to the West Ridge retail park. Outdoor & Tourism: WVDNR opened registration for the 56th Annual Nature Wonder Weekend at North Bend State Park, Sept. 11-13, a foraging-focused event that blends guided hikes and wild-food education. Energy & Utilities: WVU’s arena branding is getting a fresh spotlight as Hope Gas takes naming rights while customers brace for another potential rate hike. Data Centers & Community Impact: Mason County residents are reacting to a second data center coming nearby, after Starwood Digital Ventures’ “Project Tamarack” was approved for West Columbia with major investment and job claims. Health & Workforce: Gov. Morrisey announced the first Rural Health Transformation Program awards—nearly $2.4 million—to expand worksite clinics and employer-based care across West Virginia. AI Finance Watch: London-based Nscale is seeking up to $3.5 billion in pre-IPO financing, including convertible notes and Nvidia investment, tied to its West Virginia computing capacity deals. Legal/Policy Ripple Effects: A federal court blocked New York’s $75 billion Climate Superfund Act, a ruling West Virginia and other states are watching closely for what it means for energy regulation.

AI & Robotics Investment: Nscale signed a multi-year $3.5B compute deal with humanoid robotics startup Figure, taking an equity stake and positioning itself as preferred compute provider—while also aligning with a separate major Anthropic compute commitment tied to a West Virginia data center. Rural Health Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the first Rural Health Transformation Program grants in Chesapeake—$1.17M each for Spotted Owl Health and Chesapeake Healthcare Center, plus $612K each for CAMC/Vandalia and the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation. Data Centers vs. Cost of Living: West Virginia is pitching a “Responsible Data Center Development Plan” that would route at least half of data-center revenue to reduce and eventually eliminate the state income tax, as national opposition to data centers grows. Energy & Prices: Diesel hit an all-time high at $5.85 a gallon, with the crunch tied to refinery disruptions and Middle East conflict pressures. Local Business Openings: Dave & Buster’s is set to open Sept. 21 in Westover at the West Ridge Business and Retail Park, its second WV location after Huntington. Community & Workforce: New River CTC says Fall 2026 enrollment is up nearly 11%, including a 26% jump in first-time freshmen and growth in dual enrollment. Scam Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Pratt recorded one scam report in July, tying it for 21st among WV cities.

Data Center Push Meets Backlash: Gov. Patrick Morrisey told the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce summit that the state has secured more than $81 billion in new private investment, led by NScale’s $69.2B, 2-gigawatt Mason County project and Starwood Digital Ventures’ $12B plan—both framed as ratepayer-protected because the companies cover infrastructure costs. Local Opposition: Putnam United residents urged the Putnam County Commission to fight hyperscale AI data centers, arguing House Bill 2014 stripped local control over zoning and permitting. Energy Demand & Grid Planning: Appalachian Power CEO Brian Abraham warned electricity needs are about to surge as data centers shift demand from “megawatts” to “gigawatts,” while NextEra’s Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) drew attention as a proposed 500-kilovolt line to support reliability and new load. Politics & Business Climate: Sen. Jim Justice said he’s “100 percent” considering a 2028 governor run, setting up a potential Republican clash with Gov. Morrisey; Capito also highlighted summit activity and a proposed “Trump Account” bill for newborns. Workforce & Community: Childcare access remains a major drag on business participation, and Tractor Supply named a West Virginia student among FFA Future Leaders scholarship recipients. Health & Education: WVU opened expanded, state-of-the-art dentistry clinics after a first phase renovation, and WVU Medicine hosted Light the Night for blood cancer patients. Local Business: Dave & Buster’s announced a ribbon-cutting kickoff for its Westover-area location, with the Huntington site as the current WV footprint.

Flood Recovery & Local Funding: Martinsburg urged residents and businesses to complete a short disaster survey to unlock FEMA help, while the city waives permit fees for about 30 days as cleanup continues. Power & Data Center Backlash: Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns joined opposition to Valley Link, warning a proposed 765-kilovolt line could permanently damage farms and historic land as data-center demand grows. Clean Energy Deal: Google partnered with MN8 Energy and Eos Energy on a Kanawha County solar-plus-storage project built on a reclaimed coal mine, targeting around-the-clock power for PJM and Google data centers. Business Climate & Permitting: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Sen. Jim Justice pushed West Virginia leaders to back permitting reform and energy investment at the state Chamber summit. Consumer Fraud Watch: Fairmont tied for seventh in West Virginia for July BBB scam reports, with online purchase scams driving the biggest losses. Unclaimed Property: West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack returned more than $3.2M in unclaimed property in August. Workforce/Community Support: United Way of Southern West Virginia launched its 2026-27 campaign aiming to raise $875,000. Health Care & Legal Risk: A class-action was filed over alleged hidden cameras in Ruby Memorial staff bathrooms.