Suggestion: A Data Center for Pocahontas County

 

 A Data Center for Pocahontas County

6.4 Summary Comparison Matrix

Table 8: Pocahontas County Data Center Suitability - Comparative Matrix

Requirement	Ideal Benchmark	Pocahontas County Status	Assessment	Key Considerations/Mitigation Needs
Power Cost	Competitive (<$0.0X/kWh target)	Potentially very competitive (~5.2¢/kWh avg for large users reported, plus incentives) 32	Advantage	Confirm final rate with Mon Power including all surcharges & tariffs (K/LP/MBR).
Power Reliability/Capacity	High capacity (Multi-MW), N+1 Redundancy, High Reliability (SAIDI/SAIFI)	Capacity/Redundancy at specific sites unconfirmed. Single provider (Mon Power). Upgrades ongoing. 18	Challenge/Uncertain	CRITICAL: Verify site-specific capacity, reliability metrics, and redundancy options (dual feeds?) with Mon Power.
Network Connectivity	Diverse, redundant, high-capacity, low-latency fiber	Backbone builds ongoing but site-specific availability/diversity uncertain. Rural latency. NRQZ limits wireless. 45	Significant Challenge	CRITICAL: Commission detailed network study (routes, providers, latency, cost/timeline for builds). Assess NRQZ impact on design.
Climate/Cooling	Temperate, enables free cooling	Favorable climate for economization. Moderate temps, high humidity. Adequate precipitation. 49	Advantage	Design for humidity control. Verify water source adequacy if liquid cooling planned.
Natural Disaster Risk	Low risk (Flood, Seismic, Severe Weather)	Low seismic. Moderate flood (site-specific, maps updating). Moderate severe storm/winter weather. Very low tornado. 69	Neutral/Mixed	CRITICAL: Site-specific flood analysis using latest FEMA preliminary data. Design for wind/snow loads.
Land/Zoning	Sufficient acreage (~40+), Favorable zoning, Reasonable cost	Acreage available in industrial parks. State law (HB 2014) preempts local zoning. Costs likely favorable. 97	Advantage	Verify site suitability (geotech, environmental). Navigate potential local friction from state preemption.
Workforce	Skilled technical labor pool, Training resources, Quality of Life	Very limited local skilled pool. Low wages. Regional draw needed. Training resources exist. Housing shortage. 111	Significant Challenge	Develop regional recruitment strategy. Partner with New River CTC for training. Address housing (leverage BUILD WV).
Incentives/Taxes	Strong state/local incentives, Low tax burden	Excellent state data center incentives (property/sales tax). Very low base property tax rates. HB 2014 diverts local tax revenue. 107	Strong Advantage	Maximize state incentives. Manage local relations regarding tax distribution.
Scalability	Room for expansion (site, power, network)	Industrial parks offer adjacent land. Power/Network scalability needs verification. 96	Neutral/Uncertain	Confirm utility/network provider ability to scale capacity with project growth.
Security	Physically secure location, Compliance capable	Rural location offers some inherent security. Requires standard physical security investment. Compliance depends on facility design/ops. 5	Neutral	Implement robust physical security measures. Design for compliance needs.