Data Center Census

West Columbia, Mason County, WV

Project Tamarack

ApprovedCertified by the West Virginia Department of Commerce as a high-impact data center; announced September 3, 2026
  1. Rumored
  2. Proposed
  3. Approved
  4. Under construction
  5. Operating

Starwood Digital Ventures plans a $12 billion data center complex, dubbed Project Tamarack, in West Columbia, Mason County, which Gov. Patrick Morrisey said will require 2.16 gigawatts of power from the existing grid. The project received state high-impact data center certification, announced September 3, 2026, and will use a closed-loop cooling system and existing Appalachian Power/AEP infrastructure at the property. Some residents say they were surprised the state approved the project without local notice, as state law limits local control over certified data centers.

Key facts

Size & schedule

Planned capacity2.16 GW [5]
power requirement as stated by Gov. Morrisey (2.16 gigawatts); WVPB reported 'two gigawatts'
Source excerpt
“In West Virginia, Morrisey said the Starwood project (dubbed "Project Tamarack") will require 2.16 gigawatts of power to operate, which it will receive from the existing grid.”
Stated investment$12 billion [1]
company plan announced by the governor
Source excerpt
“Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Thursday that Starwood Digital Ventures has plans for a $12 billion data center.”
Permanent jobs (promised)300 [3]
Source excerpt
“The project is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs during construction and 300 permanent jobs once completed.”
Construction jobs1,000 [3]
more than 1,000 during construction
Source excerpt
“The project is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs during construction and 300 permanent jobs once completed.”

Power

UtilityAppalachian Power (AEP) [1]
Source excerpt
“Project Tamarack will use the existing Appalachian Power/AEP infrastructure at the property.”
Power supplyExisting grid via existing Appalachian Power/AEP infrastructure at the property [1]
Source excerpt
“Project Tamarack will use the existing Appalachian Power/AEP infrastructure at the property.”

Water

Coolingclosed-loop [2]
Source excerpt
“Tamarack will boast a closed-loop cooling system to minimize water use and addressed another of the public's concerns over data center development in the state.”

Figures are as stated by the cited source. Where sources disagree, each figure is shown.

Timeline

  1. Gov. Morrisey announces at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce business summit that Starwood Digital Ventures received high-impact data center certification for Project Tamarack [2]

  2. Project Tamarack says it is forming a Community Advisory Group of Mason County residents and leaders [3]

Issues raised

  • Mason County United said residents were not told of the plan before the state approved the certification [4]
  • Under HB 2014, localities cannot enforce or create ordinances affecting certified data center developments; a county commissioner said local government has limited control [4][5]
  • Residents cite environmental concerns, noting homes flooded during construction at the nearby Nscale Monarch site about 20 miles south [5]
  • The governor and company say Starwood will fund infrastructure costs rather than pass them to ratepayers [1][3]

Sources

  1. Morrisey announces $12 billion data center project in Mason County
    WV MetroNews · Sep 3, 2026 · news
  2. Second Certified Data Center Announced For Mason County
    West Virginia Public Broadcasting · Sep 3, 2026 · news
  3. Starwood Digital Ventures announces data center for Mason County
    WDTV · Sep 3, 2026 · news
  4. 'Total shocker': Residents react to second data center coming to Mason County
    WSAZ · Sep 4, 2026 · news
  5. New data center project coming to Mason County, WV spearheaded by Florida-based real estate group
    West Virginia Watch · Sep 8, 2026 · news