BERKELEY SPRINGS — Gov. Patrick Morrisey visited Berkeley Springs this week to announce a $75,000 grant aimed at boosting business development in the Eastern Panhandle, highlighting efforts to cut red tape and prepare new sites for future businesses.
The funds, awarded through the state’s Ready Sites program, will support engineering and architectural work at the upcoming US-522 Business Park. Local leaders say the improvements will help attract companies by ensuring lots are ready for immediate use.
“This is outstanding, but it’s just the beginning,” Morrisey said. “If you have the sites ready and you have the water, sewer, power and broadband, that makes all the difference in the world.”
The announcement is part of Morrisey’s broader economic development push, which includes statewide licensing reciprocity to address contractor shortages, a one-stop permitting system for businesses and legislation to promote “speed to build” by reducing regulatory delays.
Morrisey also touted the state’s new microgrid law, which he says is attracting national interest from companies at the intersection of energy and technology, sectors he believes are crucial for meeting America’s growing power demands, despite some pushback from the communities those data centers would be placed in.
Local officials welcomed the grant, saying site selectors increasingly want move-in-ready properties.
“They don’t want to get the site pad ready, they want to start right away,” said Lyn Goodwin, executive director of the Morgan County Development Authority.
The US-522 Business Park currently has two available lots, with three more plotted but not yet connected to infrastructure. An additional 50 acres remain undeveloped. Morrisey said the state is open to funding more projects in the county, including in places like Paw Paw, if strong applications are submitted.
Historically, West Virginia has lagged behind other states in site selection investment, Morrisey said, but his administration is working to change that. “
We’re getting really good feedback, and we’ve made a number of announcements,” Morrisey said.
With the Eastern Panhandle being one of the fastest-growing parts of the state, Morrisey pledged to maintain close ties with local officials.
“You are not forgotten,” Morrisey said. “We’re here for everyone, but we want to make sure we’re giving this area the tools it needs to do well.”
