The Tucker County Commission is refusing to “take a position” with regards to the Davis Data Center.
The WV Legislative code §7-1-3aa. “Authority of county commissions to create and fund a hazardous material accident response program.”: Tucker County does not have the wherewithal to financially handle being vigilant and ready for a catastrophic disaster caused by the “power plant”. A power plant for data centers with no tenants as of yet and a reported glut of available space for lease in already built facilities while not having the required power and data infrastructure approved and in place, it is obvious to the casual of observers this is not the right location for such a behemoth. By the time this type of data storage facility is built data technology storage technology will have advanced and these buildings will be obsolete. Remember that power and extraction companies can go bankrupt when convenient so as to obfuscate their tangible responsibilities to their existing physical locations and their workers with startlingly well documented history in West Virginia. There is a constant struggle for adequately funding black lung benefits. The responsibilities of county commissions are fiscal in nature, not that of employment agencies according to West Virginia legislative code.
There are more choices for sustainable economic development that are in the best interest in the county without putting everyone and thing at risk. Tourism is just a part of our local economy. It is not the only choice and to constantly banter that as the only option does a great disservice to all the small independent business owners in the county. The growth of small businesses in the Thomas Davis area within the last decade is over 200%. The Affordable Care Act was responsible for promoting small business development all over the country but clearly it had a positive effect on our local economy.
Commuting for work is a fact of life everywhere, people do have choices, they may not feel like they do, but wanting to bring big industry to Tucker County so to limit drive time while destroying the quality of life we have is not in the best interest of our tax base. I urge you to respect opinions but understand the facts from people that do serious research on the topic at hand. And the facts include defunded positions for oversight across the board in federal agencies that were originally created to protect citizens, not to be part of selective revenue for corporations responsible to share their holders. There is never enough funding for impartial oversight.
Political quality control by constituents happens in the voting booth and growing the local economy with increased property values, quality educational opportunities and sustainable economic diversity is the best legacy for elected officials.
Robin McClintock Hendricks
