West Virginia looks to AI data center boom to help eliminate state income tax

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. NetChoice director of policy Patrick Hedger warns that data center development has become a major flashpoint in key midterm races. He argues that local moratoriums will hurt communities in 5 to 10 years when they realize they missed out on critical tech investments, high-paying jobs, and lower taxes. West Virginia leaders are escalating the debate over data centers, with Gov. Patrick Morrisey unveiling seven principles aligned with legislation passed in 2025 to reduce and eventually eliminate the state income tax while addressing concerns about natural resources and infrastructure. The plan comes as data centers are becoming a political flashpoint nationwide, with states looking to cash in on billions of dollars in investment and new jobs while communities raise concerns about utility costs, water use and local control. The massive facilities needed