AGP Executive Report

Workforce & Training: Houston City College was selected for the Workforce Futures Accelerator, a three-year effort to plug employer-sponsored, project-based learning into workforce programs. Community Support: Boone Memorial Hospital is sending more than $27,000 in flood relief funds to United Way of Central West Virginia, matching community donations. State Services & Access: U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito toured West Virginia 211, highlighting how the United Way-run service routes residents to state and federal help. Local Government Finance: Morgantown received a clean FY25 audit opinion, with only a minor timing issue tied to staff turnover, as the city weighs parking changes. Education Funding Pressure: A statewide coalition says schools could face closures next year due to district budget gaps and is urging a special legislative session to use a reported $125 million surplus and modernize the school funding formula. Energy & Infrastructure: West Virginia DOT Division of Highways posted an asphalt paving contractor notice for Renick–PCL Rd in Greenbrier County. AI & Data Centers: Anthropic signed a reported $35B cloud deal with Nvidia-backed Lambda, while a separate report says a West Virginia-linked transmission project could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions. Business Growth: Citizens Bank of West Virginia held a ribbon cutting for its Thomas Financial Center expansion, adding more consumer and business lending options.

Flood Recovery & Local Business: Martinsburg is urging residents with Aug. 27 flood damage to complete the West Virginia Emergency Management Division damage survey (about 5 minutes) to help document losses and unlock possible additional federal aid, including individual assistance. AG & Consumer Protection: West Virginia is set to receive about $114 million over 10 years from a Meta settlement with 29 states, with Attorney General J.B. McCuskey calling for major changes to how platforms interact with children. State Budget Watch: West Virginia’s General Revenue Fund collections for August totaled $449 million, beating estimates by $34 million, while FY-to-date GRF collections also run ahead. Data Centers & Power Costs: U.S. Rep. Riley Moore cosponsored the Ratepayer Protection Act, aiming to ensure data centers—not families and small businesses—pay incremental electricity infrastructure costs. AI Compute Deal With WV Link: Anthropic reportedly signed a $35 billion cloud capacity agreement with Nvidia-backed Lambda for 350MW in Texas, following earlier reports of a major Anthropic compute push tied to a West Virginia campus. Holiday & Community Economy: Salango Law Light the Night returns Nov. 13 at GoMart Ballpark with new attractions and an expanded on-field experience, targeting another big regional draw. Business Climate Court Fight: A federal judge struck down New York’s $75 billion climate “Superfund” law, a case West Virginia AGs helped challenge. Local Finance & Growth: State Treasurer Larry Pack released a tax analysis of two data center projects, including Berkeley County’s Penzance Management and Google’s Putnam County project, as debate continues over community impacts.

AI Infrastructure Deal: Anthropic agreed to a $35 billion, six-year computing deal with Nvidia-backed Lambda, tapping capacity tied to a Hut 8 data center in Texas—while also building on its reported $45 billion West Virginia Nscale arrangement. Energy & Courts: West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey says the state won its challenge to New York’s “Climate Change Superfund Act,” after a federal judge ruled the law can’t be enforced under federal Clean Air Act authority. Power Grid Project: NextEra Energy Transmission asked the Public Service Commission to delay a final decision on the MARL 500-kilovolt line to May 22, 2027, pushing the evidentiary hearing and decision date after route changes. Statewide Business & Jobs: The Charleston LIFT Center is nearing completion, but officials say it still needs a tenant for the 55,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing/energy-focused space. Construction & Infrastructure: WVDOH awarded a contract to redeck 13 bridges, including the SPC Jason N. Marchand Memorial Bridges on US 50 in Doddridge County. Local Economy & Fraud: Inwood ranked among the top WV cities for BBB Scam Tracker reports in July, with 1 reported scam—while Charleston, Morgantown and Huntington led the state. Healthcare Finance: A new report finds West Virginia’s Medicaid nursing home rate cycle is up modestly (median +3.3%), with other states flat or mixed. Community Relief: Martinsburg will waive building permit and inspection fees for 30 days for flood repairs and use expedited flood-permit reviews. Retail Expansion: Dave & Buster’s plans a new Morgantown-area location in Westover, hiring about 150 employees ahead of a Sept. 21 opening.

Business Survival: A new longevity study says West Virginia leads the nation in five-year business survival, with 57.6% of 2019 startups still operating after five years—state leaders point to coaching, mentoring, capital access, and the Office of Entrepreneurship. Flood Recovery: Martinsburg is still cleaning up after Aug. 27 flooding, with debris pickups, expedited repairs, and a 30-day waiver of building permit and inspection fees for flood-related work. Energy & Industry Regulation: West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey is leading a coalition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Biden-era EPA air quality rule, arguing it will raise costs and slow new manufacturing, infrastructure, and small-business activity. AI Infrastructure Investment: Anthropic is reportedly signing a roughly $45B deal for Nscale compute capacity, with the first building tied to West Virginia power capacity—another sign of major AI buildout pressures and spending. Local Fraud Watch: Charleston tied for top in the state for BBB scam reports in July, with eight reports and about $1,189 in losses. Community & Health: Beckley’s Out of the Darkness Walk returns Sept. 19 to support suicide-prevention research and survivor services.

Rural Health Oversight: A $50B federal rural health program is facing calls for more transparency, with groups warning that slow public records releases and limited proactive reporting could weaken fraud prevention and oversight. Statehouse Watch: Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s America 250 “Capitol City Celebration” is drawing scrutiny as invoices near/over budget while other costs climb, according to WVCheckbook and FOIA-based reporting. Tourism Marketing: Elkins and Buckhannon are rejoining a West Virginia Department of Tourism advertising co-op aimed at promoting the two cities to the Washington, D.C. area. Energy & Power Policy: FirstEnergy is seeking approval for a new 1,200-megawatt natural gas plant in the same corridor as existing coal units, raising hard questions about congestion, cost recovery, and whether coal preservation rules are being undermined. Health Spending Trends: Medicaid billing is rising in multiple West Virginia communities, including South Charleston (DME MACs), Huntington (Outpatient PPS), and Comfort (Evaluation & Management), underscoring shifting local demand and provider mix. Local Business & Community: Del. Clay Riley is set to discuss child care economics at the West Virginia Chamber summit, tying workforce participation to business growth. Consumer Costs: GasBuddy reports show premium and diesel prices remain volatile across West Virginia counties, with several local “cheapest” listings in the week ending Aug. 22.

Child Care & Workforce: Del. Clay Riley says West Virginia needs a new push on child care as the state’s workforce participation rate stays below 54%, with discussion at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting at The Greenbrier. Public Finance: State Treasurer Larry Pack returned $1,331.52 in unclaimed property funds to the Logan County Commission, highlighting how local governments can put recovered money back to work. Water Protection: Gov. Jim Morrisey announced WVDEP and EPA Region 3 will remove hazardous materials at the former Belchers Cleaners site in Oceana to protect water resources. Health Care Spending: Medicaid billing data show Inwood providers billed $62,518 for Evaluation and Management in 2024 (+20.6%), while Cross Lanes saw ambulance/transport claims jump 228.4% to $4,141. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports the lowest diesel in Barbour County at $5.29/gal (week ending Aug. 22), and E85 pricing in Harrison County hit $3.58/gal. Tech & Privacy: West Virginia lawmakers raised new concerns about Flock Safety’s license plate-reading cameras, questioning data access and whether security steps were fully explained.

Water Protection: Gov. Patrick Morrisey says WVDEP, with EPA Region 3, will start removing hazardous materials from the former Belchers Cleaners site in Oceana after an inspection found a collapsed roof, unsecured areas, and leaking dry-cleaning chemicals—part of a broader push to address long-running water problems. Higher Ed Investment: Glenville State University will dedicate its new $26 million Ike and Sue Morris Stadium, a major athletics and community milestone for Gilmer County’s small town. Local Government Money: State Treasurer Larry Pack returned $1,331.52 in unclaimed property funds to the Logan County Commission, urging residents and businesses to check for lost assets. Literacy Push: Read Aloud West Virginia launched a September fundraising campaign tied to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, matching donations dollar-for-dollar when donors note “in memory of Dolly.” Public Safety & Privacy: West Virginia lawmakers are pressing Flock Safety after a hearing raised new questions about access to license-plate camera data and whether safeguards were accurately described. Business/Tech Policy: A Commerce draft rule would target renting Nvidia GPU computing time to Chinese AI firms, but lawyers say the agency may lack clear legal authority to enforce it. Data Centers & Health Concerns: Residents in Putnam County raised fears about potential pollution from a planned Google data center campus, while Gov. Morrisey highlighted Anthropic’s reported $45B AI investment as a growth driver. Sports & Economy: Glenville’s stadium and West Virginia’s broader sports ecosystem get a boost as college football ramps up, with betting promotions also expanding in the state.

AI & Data Centers: Putnam County residents pressed concerns over a planned Google data center campus, warning of harmful air pollutants and health impacts, even as Gov. Patrick Morrisey highlighted major AI investment reports tied to Anthropic. Big Tech & Consumer Protection: West Virginia is set to share in a landmark multistate Meta settlement aimed at child-safety reforms on Instagram and Facebook, part of a broader wave of state AG actions against social-media harms. Immigration Enforcement: A Stateline analysis links stricter state non-cooperation policies with lower local jail arrests tied to ICE, while sanctuary-limiting states—including West Virginia—see higher rates. Housing & Wealth: LendingTree data ranks New Jersey among the top states for homeowner equity, a reminder that “housing wealth” can be accessed via borrowing but comes with risks. Energy & Jobs: A “statehouse beat” item argues coal-industry “friends” aren’t friends of miners, as regulators and enforcement remain in the spotlight. Local Economy & Community: Read Aloud West Virginia launched a September fundraising push in memory of Dolly Parton, matching donations to support early literacy through the Imagination Library. Public Records: Kanawha County property transfers (Aug. 16-22) list multiple $75,000+ deals.

AI Compute Deal: Google and Microsoft were in talks with Nscale to rent AI capacity from its West Virginia data-center project, but the lease ultimately went to Anthropic for a reported $45B, covering 460 megawatts at Nscale’s Monarch campus. Public Finance & Accountability: Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s America 250 Capitol City Celebration is running over budget, with nearly $2.2M already paid out for event and related state booth costs. Food Safety: The Cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce added Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, pushing the total to 11,458 illnesses across 20 states, with hospitalizations at 495. Housing & Local Growth: A $4.3M workforce housing and coworking project is set to break ground Sept. 4 in Thomas, adding 10 apartments plus street-level commercial space. Opioid Response: A Buckhannon recovery house installed a free, 24/7 Narcan distribution box for anyone to take overdose-reversal medication. Workforce & Education: BridgeValley CTC and WVU Parkersburg received $2M for a manufacturing workforce program. Energy & Infrastructure: The Marietta levee project is nearing completion, with officials urging residents to stay out of the work zone ahead of a Sept. 3 ribbon cutting.

Severe Weather & Local Economy: Martinsburg is assessing damage after a “thousand-year” storm dumped about 5 inches of rain (with reports of more) Thursday night, flooding streets and homes, disrupting commutes, and forcing Berkeley County Schools to close Martinsburg High School for “significant water intrusion.” Public Safety & Infrastructure: Mayor Kevin Knowles and City Manager Andy Blake spent hours directing traffic and clearing debris, including work to unclog a culvert after basement flooding topped 4 feet. AI Power & Data Centers: Anthropic agreed to pay about $45 billion over six years for Nscale computing capacity tied to a Vera Rubin-powered campus in Mason County, West Virginia—about 460 megawatts starting late next year. Energy Utility Outlook: FirstEnergy says higher revenues and disciplined costs are strengthening its outlook, with data-center demand pushing contracted and pipeline electricity needs higher. Big Tech Settlement: Meta reached an $18 billion multistate settlement over children’s mental health concerns; West Virginia is among the states expected to receive funds. Education & Workforce: Concord University is accepting registrations for its 33rd annual Business Challenge (Oct. 22), offering scholarships for high schoolers. Community & Literacy: Read Aloud West Virginia launched a September fundraising push in memory of Dolly Parton’s literacy work, matching donations with Imagination Library partners. Business Development: A new GOAT Pub opened in Bridgeport, bringing a NIL-linked concept to WVU athletics. Health & Safety: The U.S. Chemical Safety Board updated its investigation into a fatal April hydrogen sulfide release at a West Virginia facility during decommissioning.

Firearms & Finance: West Virginia AG JB McCuskey pushed back after Kent Cartridge, a Kearneysville ammo maker, was denied payment-processing services; the state says BILL and Ramp cited “compliance” restrictions, but BILL has now agreed to serve Kent Cartridge and the companies involved told the AG they don’t discriminate against lawful firearm businesses. AI Data Centers: Gov. Patrick Morrisey touted a reported $45 billion, six-year Anthropic deal for about 460 megawatts of computing capacity at Nscale’s West Virginia campus—framing it as a major win for the state’s AI investment strategy. Child Safety & Big Tech: West Virginia is set to receive nearly $114 million from the multistate Meta settlement targeting Instagram and Facebook features alleged to harm teens, with sweeping safety reforms required. Construction Jobs: A new Associated General Contractors analysis found construction employment rose in 36 states plus D.C. from July 2025 to July 2026, while 28 states added jobs from June to July—though tariffs, highway funding, and data-center opposition could threaten momentum. Local Business: Prime Cabinets opened its third West Virginia showroom in Beckley, positioning the new site as a flagship for faster cabinet delivery and in-person design. Food Safety: The cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce has now reached 20 states, with FDA reporting 11,458 illnesses and two deaths. Weather/Operations: Flooding prompted Martinsburg High School to close Friday, Aug. 28, and Eastbrook Elementary in Putnam County to close due to utility issues.

Meta Settlement: West Virginia is set to receive up to about $114M from a landmark $17.1B multistate deal with Meta over child-safety claims tied to Instagram and Facebook, with required safety changes like tighter daily time limits and “productive pauses.” AI Data Centers: Anthropic reportedly signed a $45B compute-capacity agreement with West Virginia data-center developer Nscale, leasing 460MW for six years and using Nvidia’s next-gen Vera Rubin chips at the Monarch Compute Campus. Local Schools & Construction: Monongalia County’s school board approved a commissioning-agent contract for the roughly $34M Suncrest Middle School project, a step toward final inspections and the next bid milestones. Energy & Rates: FirstEnergy is pushing regulators to approve a $2.47B, 1,200-megawatt natural gas plant in the Fort Martin–Harrison corridor—raising questions about what happens to existing coal plants and how costs would be handled. Sports Betting: bet365 launched in West Virginia, adding a new sportsbook and casino app for eligible customers ahead of football season. Community & Food Access: A report highlights how many West Virginians live in “food desert” areas, driving long trips for groceries and worsening food insecurity. Greenbrier Watch: Gov. Morrisey and Sen. Jim Justice traded barbs online over Greenbrier ownership and “financial mismanagement” as the resort’s casino operations move forward under new control.

Meta Settlement for WV Youth: West Virginia is set to receive more than $114M from a landmark $16.7B multistate deal with Meta over alleged addictive design and youth harms on Facebook and Instagram, with court approval pending and new child-safety requirements aimed at giving parents more control. AI Data Center Power Race: Anthropic is reportedly signing a six-year, ~$45B compute deal with Nscale tied to West Virginia data center capacity (about 460 megawatts) using Nvidia’s Vera Rubin chips—another sign that electricity and infrastructure are becoming the real bottlenecks. Greenbrier Casino Ownership Fight: Gov. Patrick Morrisey backed the Lottery Commission’s approval for Kennedy-Lewis to run the Greenbrier Casino, while Sen. Jim Justice fired back, escalating a high-profile political feud over “financial stability.” Coal Job Losses: Eagle Horizon Mine in Boone County plans a permanent closure tied to a WARN notice, eliminating 70+ jobs by Oct. 11, 2026. Local Energy/Legal Battles: A new nonprofit, Unlink Clarke, is forming to fight the Valley North transmission line through Clarke County with Washington legal counsel. Public Safety: West Virginia State Police arrested a Morgantown man accused of sharing child sexual abuse material online, including under the name “MrChildPorn.” Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show midgrade and diesel prices easing in parts of the state in the week ending Aug. 15.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: West Virginia is set to receive up to $114.6 million from a landmark $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta over alleged addictive, harmful design targeting kids on Instagram and Facebook, with sweeping safety reforms required pending court approval. Greenbrier Casino Ownership Shift: Gov. Jim Morrisey says the state will keep monitoring The Greenbrier after regulators approved new controlling ownership under Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, with Lloyd Nathan named chairman and Morrisey pledging help to refurbish the historic resort. Healthcare Access Investment: WVU Medicine is breaking ground on a $56 million hospital campus in St. Clairsville (Belmont County, Ohio) to expand emergency and inpatient/outpatient services for residents near the West Virginia line. Hospital Drug-Diversion Probe: A federal settlement involving West Virginia University Health System (West Virginia United Health System) highlights failures to act on controlled-substance theft alerts across its facilities. Local Business & Education: Pierpont Community & Technical College is launching its fall push for student persistence and success, projecting 1,000+ degree-seeking students. Energy & Infrastructure: West Virginia American Water begins a $512,000 Fayetteville water-pipe upgrade along Fayette Avenue, with temporary disruptions expected during construction. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest Kanawha County midgrade price at $4.19/gal for the week ending Aug. 15.

Coal & Jobs: Eagle Horizon Resources will close its Eagle Horizon Mine in Boone County, cutting 71 jobs with layoffs starting Oct. 11, according to a WARN notice. State Tech Procurement: West Virginia canceled a $63.5 million DMV modernization contract, saying the project would be delayed, after lawmakers questioned the winning bidder and pricing. Energy Grid Fight: West Virginia Consumer Advocate Division backed a pause or dismissal of NextEra’s MARL transmission project, arguing grid assumptions have changed after Maryland power plants received extensions. Rural Health Access: Gov. Jim Morrisey announced up to $7.1 million to build a statewide network of rural health hubs and mobility coordinators to simplify access to care. Healthcare Policy Funding: Morrisey also announced up to $2 million to expand home dialysis access across West Virginia through education and care coordination. Local Business & Community: Beckley ARH Hospital will host a Community “Food is Medicine” Day and Farmers’ Market Aug. 26. Higher Ed Affordability: West Virginia Wesleyan College rolled out a tuition lock guarantee starting fall 2027, plus new scholarship pathways. Consumer Watch: Morgantown tied for top in West Virginia for scam reports in July, with eight, per BBB Scam Tracker.

Federal Land Policy: The Trump administration moves to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, opening large swaths of federally managed forestland to more roadbuilding, logging, and mining; a draft environmental review is out with public comments due Sept. 21. Public Safety & Health: A Hagerstown man was sentenced to more than 17 years for selling fentanyl-laced pills online that investigators say nearly killed two teens. Local Governance: Huntington residents are collecting signatures for a ballot initiative to ban mass surveillance tech and void the city’s $2.1 million Flock Safety contract, after a 6-4 council vote. Higher Ed & Business Climate: WVU President Michael Benson says he’s pushing to close University Avenue in front of the Mountainlair sooner, prioritizing pedestrian safety while trying to reassure downtown businesses. Energy & Regulation: West Virginia PSC staff argues for pausing—or dismissing—NextEra’s $1B+ MARL transmission line application, citing due-process and tolling issues. Real Estate & Hospitality: A historic Parkersburg hotel is set to join Wyndham’s Trademark Collection under a new brand. Healthcare Costs: A new analysis ranks West Virginia as having the highest healthcare cost-to-income burden in the U.S. Community & Commerce: Weis Markets opens registration for its Weis 4 School program, targeting $500,000 for Pre-K through 8th grade schools.