Bill > SB583

This bill establishes economic incentives for data centers to locate within West Virginia by creating a comprehensive framework to attract large-scale data center investments. The bill defines a "qualifying data center" as a facility that makes a minimum capital investment of $50 million, creates at least 50 new jobs, and uses at least 80% coal-generated electricity. The legislation provides significant tax benefits, including property tax treatment that values data center equipment at a low "salvage value" and a sales and use tax exemption for equipment purchased for data center operations. The bill emphasizes the potential economic benefits of data centers, including job creation, infrastructure development, and support for the state's coal industry. To ensure accountability, the bill includes provisions that require data centers to maintain their investment and employment levels, with potential tax benefit recapture if they fail to meet these requirements. The legislature frames this initiative as a strategic effort to position West Virginia as a competitive destination for high-tech investments, particularly by leveraging the state's coal-generated electricity and geographical advantages. The bill also highlights the potential for workforce development and partnerships with educational institutions to create career opportunities in the digital economy.