AGP Executive Report

Defense & Manufacturing: Pratt & Whitney Canada landed a nine-year, $1 billion contract to overhaul PT6A-68 engines for the U.S. Joint Primary Aircraft Training System, with much of the work tied to the North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport. New Industry in WV: Germany-based Helsing plans a $50 million manufacturing operation in Martinsburg, aiming to create at least 60 jobs in Berkeley County and initially build its HX-2 AI-enabled strike drone. Workforce Development: Gov. Morrisey says West Virginia’s Tourism Works program has topped 25,000 microcredentials and 1,000 college credit hours since launching in March 2025, with more than 4,000 enrolled in the free training. Legal & Courts: West Virginia faces a growing shortage of court-appointed attorneys, with a Supreme Court commission finding declining lawyer numbers alongside rising legal demand. Public Safety & Privacy: A West Virginia legislative committee questioned Flock Safety over its automated license plate reader network as communities push back on surveillance concerns. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in multiple states, including West Virginia, due to potential listeria contamination. Regional Weather: Midwest flooding continues to disrupt travel and power, with flood watches extending east into central West Virginia.

Tourism Workforce: West Virginia’s Tourism Works program has topped 25,000 microcredentials and 1,000 college credit hours since launching in March 2025, with more than 4,000 residents enrolled in the free online training. Flood Risk: Midwest flooding continues after days of heavy storms, with flood watches extending into central West Virginia and more rain expected through Sunday. Greenbrier Deal Update: The Justice family and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management finalized a new joint venture for The Greenbrier, aiming to stabilize the resort’s finances and keep the casino operating while court and regulator steps move forward. Surveillance Oversight: Flock Safety says it’s tightening privacy and oversight for its license-plate reader network, including shorter data retention and limits on data sharing as lawmakers question security and abuse. Public Health Recall: Walmart recalled more than 3,000 Marketside tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states, including West Virginia, due to possible listeria contamination. Local Business & Community: Hancock County commissioners hired outside counsel to help negotiate distribution of opioid settlement funds tied to a faith-based treatment project.

Greenbrier Deal Update: The Justice family and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management have completed a $500 million joint venture for The Greenbrier, with Kennedy Lewis taking a 51% controlling stake; the West Virginia Lottery says the casino can stay open during review, keeping reservations and operations running through the transition. Clean-Tech Investment: Form Energy secured $750 million in new equity to expand its West Virginia iron-air battery factory in Weirton, adding jobs and scaling a plant designed for multi-day power storage. Data Center Policy: Gov. Patrick Morrisey defended West Virginia’s “Responsible Data Center Development Plan,” but wouldn’t confirm it adds enforceable protections beyond existing law on ratepayer and water impacts. Surveillance Cameras: Flock says it’s tightening privacy, accountability and security after criticism of license-plate reader networks; lawmakers, including WV Delegate Tristan Leavitt, are pressing on data security and access. Local Business & Community: Hancock County commissioners hired outside counsel for opioid-fund negotiations tied to Family Care Ministries. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports Jefferson County midgrade hit $4.19 for the week ending Aug. 8, while Ohio County regular fell to $3.61. Food Safety: Walmart Marketside tomato bisque soup kits were recalled in 29 states over possible listeria contamination, including West Virginia.

Greenbrier Deal Update: The Justice family and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management have completed a $500 million joint venture that gives Kennedy Lewis 51% controlling interest in The Greenbrier, aiming to stabilize the resort after months of refinancing and litigation; the casino can stay open during the Lottery Commission’s review, with “caveats,” as the ownership transition moves forward. Food Safety & Retail: The FDA upgraded an egg recall tied to salmonella to the highest risk level after dozens of illnesses across multiple states, while Walmart recalled Marketside tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states over possible Listeria contamination (no confirmed illnesses reported yet). Public Health Watch: The FDA and CDC are inspecting Taylor Farms’ Mexican facility as the cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce continues to spread across states. Energy & Cost of Living: A new report highlights how West Virginia’s electricity rates have risen sharply, with lawmakers facing pressure to lower bills through bill relief, efficiency, and utility reforms. Tech & Privacy: West Virginia lawmakers are pressing on Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader network as privacy and data-sharing concerns grow. Local Business Pulse: At the West Virginia State Fair, food vendors say the event is a major business engine—especially for family-run stands built around fresh, local, and signature items. Clean Energy Capital: Form Energy raised $750 million to expand iron-air battery manufacturing in Weirton, targeting multi-day storage demand tied to grid needs.

Flood Recovery Watch: Gov. Jim Morrisey extended West Virginia’s state of emergency in 12 counties—Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Pendleton, Pleasants, Randolph, Ritchie, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur and Wetzel—through Sept. 19 as recovery and damage assessments continue. Data Center Tension: West Virginia communities are pushing back on proposed large data center campuses, with residents in Tucker County citing shifting project details and concerns about air and water impacts. Energy Grid Work: Kentucky Power and Appalachian Power outlined transmission upgrades tied to reliability concerns, including planned line rebuilds and community open houses in the region. Public Health Alerts: A Walmart-sold Marketside Tomato Bisque soup kit is recalled in 29 states over possible Listeria contamination. Food Safety Fallout: The broader jalapeño-linked Salmonella recall continues to expand across grocery shelves, including Whole Foods and other retailers. Coal & Health: The UMWA is demanding immediate enforcement of black lung protections after new research shows rates near a 50-year high in central Appalachia. State Finance & Inclusion: Treasurer Larry Pack marked National ABLE Savings Day, urging eligible West Virginians to open no-maintenance-fee WVABLE accounts with a $25 match. Local Food Security: Mountaineer Food Bank is seeking volunteers to pack and distribute USDA food boxes for low-income seniors statewide. Business Climate: Kroger continues store closures as it consolidates operations, adding pressure to local retail access. Transportation Costs: Gas prices in parts of West Virginia remain volatile, with county-level lows reported for midgrade and diesel.

Data Center Policy: Gov. Patrick Morrisey and legislative leaders unveiled a seven-point “West Virginia Responsible Data Center Development Plan,” aiming to guide growth over 20 years alongside HB 2014’s power-generation and consumption framework. Greenbrier Casino Fallout: Sen. Jim Justice’s family told a federal court it will shutter The Greenbrier’s casino to speed a refinancing deal, while Greenbrier attorneys asked regulators about a possible short transition to keep it open. Utilities & Rates: Lubeck PSD is seeking about a 30% water and 14% sewer rate hike, with commissioners pressing for specifics as officials cite crumbling, decades-old infrastructure. Mining Safety: A Barbour County coal mine was evacuated after carbon monoxide was detected, with officials saying a fire likely caused the readings. Public Health & Food Safety: Walmart issued a recall for a Marketside tomato bisque soup kit due to potential Listeria contamination. Local Business & Growth: WVU launched the state’s first Cyber-Resilience Resource Center to help small and mid-sized organizations with cybersecurity risk, planning, and training. Community & Economy: A $9.8M WVDOH contract was awarded for a 4.5-mile US 50 paving project near Bridgeport. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reported the lowest regular prices in Brooke County at $3.69 and in Lewis County premium at $4.16 for the week ending Aug. 8.

Inflation Watch: Cleveland Fed chief Beth Hammack told Dayton business leaders that while price pressures have eased, inflation remains “more persistent” than expected, keeping rate-setting concerns front and center. Entrepreneurship Push: West Virginia’s Office of Entrepreneurship is inviting public submissions for a new logo, with ideas due Aug. 31. Aviation Training Expansion: Pierpont Community & Technical College cleared to move forward with a $23 million aviation training facility at the North Central West Virginia Airport after delays. Education Oversight: Wyoming County Schools was placed under a state of emergency after WVDE found systemic issues in governance, leadership, personnel documentation and fiscal controls. Data Center Power & Jobs: Form Energy raised $750 million to expand its Weirton iron-air battery plant, aiming to meet surging multi-day storage demand tied to data centers. Local Infrastructure: Monongalia County Commission reaffirmed support for the Exit 155 Star City Interchange work, targeting Sept. 1 design delivery. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded a jalapeño-linked salmonella recall affecting products sold at major retailers across multiple states. Business Risk & Regulation: The Greenbrier’s casino could shut down to meet a refinancing timeline unless Lottery approval comes through. Severe Weather: Storms across the Midwest and East have cut power to hundreds of thousands, with flood watches stretching toward West Virginia.

School Clothing Voucher Oversight: West Virginia lawmakers grilled the new human services secretary over the $200-per-child school clothing benefit, with testimony that about half is being withdrawn as untraceable cash via ATMs and that spending can’t be tracked once pulled. Education Emergency: The state Board of Education declared a 30-day state of emergency for Wyoming County Schools, citing problems in governance, leadership, personnel practices and financial management, with a corrective plan due and a December review. Data Center Debate: Tucker County residents are pushing back against a proposed massive data center campus, citing shifting project details and concerns about air and water impacts. Energy & Courts: A federal judge ordered updates on The Greenbrier refinancing after missed deadlines, while West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey led a coalition urging federal control to keep the Line 5 pipeline open. Business & Consumer Watch: Kroger is quietly closing dozens of underperforming stores ahead of its planned 60-location shutdowns, and a major jalapeño recall tied to Salmonella has expanded to hundreds of illnesses. Local Health Access: Bonnie’s Bus announced additional mobile mammography stops in Mercer, Doddridge and Ritchie counties.

Data Center Policy: Gov. Patrick Morrisey and legislative leaders unveiled a 20-year “Responsible Data Center Development Plan” built on seven principles aimed at ratepayer protections, water use limits, community benefits, grid reliability and national security, positioning West Virginia to set rules before hyperscale projects reshape local power demand. Storm Recovery: Severe storms left about 729,000 homes and businesses without power nationwide, with West Virginia utilities reporting thousands still dark as crews from other states work extended shifts to restore service. Public Health Access: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography program will stop in Mercer, Doddridge and Ritchie counties in September, offering 3D screenings and help enrolling eligible uninsured patients. Education & Family Costs: A No Kid Hungry survey finds school meals are a financial lifeline for families, with 59% of parents saying their child wouldn’t have enough to eat without meals during the school day. Local Business/Industry: Beckwith Lumber won a $1.03M USDA Forest Service grant to expand hardwood manufacturing with a new vertical line resaw system in Slaty Fork. Water Utility Deal: West Virginia American Water’s bid to buy Kanawha Falls Public Service District moved forward, with the board set to vote Sept. 3 and Fayette County expanding its agreement to help avoid a legal snag. Sports/Community: WVU updated its Football Fan Day schedule for Aug. 28 at Milan Puskar Stadium, with free admission and autograph rules to keep lines moving.

Public Health & Access: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography program will stop in Mercer, Doddridge and Ritchie counties in September, offering 3D screening and breast care education, with uninsured women 40+ able to get free mammograms through grant funding. Healthcare Expansion: WVU also says it has added 17 more Intuitive da Vinci 5 surgical systems, boosting its regional lead in robotic surgery. Gaming Research: WVU researchers, funded by Arnold Ventures with nearly $300,000, are studying risky loss-chasing behavior in West Virginia online sports betting using operator data. Utility & Regulation: The W.Va. Public Service Commission set a public hearing for Aug. 31 on West Virginia-American Water’s proposed acquisition of the Bluefield Sanitary Board system. Cybersecurity: West Virginia’s cybersecurity law now requires annual agency security reviews with stronger CISO oversight and a mechanism to recover costs when entities don’t participate. Energy & Data Centers: Gov. Morrisey and legislative leaders unveiled a 20-year “Responsible Data Center Development Plan,” aiming to tighten oversight and community protections for hyperscale projects. Consumer Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Charleston led West Virginia cities in June scam reports, while statewide scam reporting remains a persistent concern. Storm Impact: Appalachian Power reported tens of thousands without power after severe storms, with restoration efforts underway statewide.

Health Care & Policy: West Virginia lawmakers pressed for answers on the federal Rural Health Transformation Program as the state works to obligate nearly $200 million by an Oct. 31 deadline, with questions about contracts and implementation. Food Safety & Litigation: Taylor Farms expanded a jalapeño-linked salmonella recall into prepared foods sold across 26 states, including West Virginia, as multiple class-action lawsuits target Taco Bell and Taylor Farms over the outbreak. Energy & Utilities: Appalachian Power reported storm-related outages peaking above 28,000 customers, with more than 5,000 still without power in West Virginia as crews restore service. Business & Industry: Frontieras selected Yokogawa as the main automation contractor for a Mason County, W.Va. solid carbon fractionation facility designed to process 2.7 million tons of coal annually. Local Economy & Growth: WVU highlighted its role in the RETI coalition, with its innovation leader helping drive next-generation manufacturing and energy research across Appalachia. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Berkeley Medical Center and other WVU Medicine hospitals added 17 Intuitive da Vinci 5 surgical systems, expanding the region’s largest robot fleet.

Surveillance & Privacy: West Virginia lawmakers grilled a Flock Safety representative about how its license-plate cameras collect, store, secure, and share data, with concerns about misuse and who can access it. Legal/Resort Finance: A federal judge ordered an update on a proposed $500 million Greenbrier refinancing deal involving Sen. Jim Justice and related parties after the expected Aug. 7 closing didn’t happen. Public Safety & Utilities: Appalachian Power crews are restoring service after severe storms knocked out power for thousands across West Virginia and Virginia, with restoration expected to continue into Tuesday. Food Safety: Taylor Farms recalled 20 jalapeño products tied to a Salmonella outbreak affecting hundreds across multiple states, including items sold at major retailers and restaurants. State Budget & Human Services: Lawmakers pressed the Department of Human Services over PATH system costs and audit findings, with frustration that potential savings may take years to realize. Health Funding: West Virginia is finalizing about $39 million in Rural Health Transformation awards, with names withheld until grant agreements are executed. Small Business Relief: SBA reminded West Virginia businesses of an approaching Sept. 8 deadline for disaster economic injury loans tied to the 2025 drought. Education Policy: West Virginia House Democrats renewed calls for a special session over the public school funding crisis, citing underfunding and special education growth. Sports/Business: WVU Medicine expanded its surgical robot fleet with 17 more da Vinci systems, boosting the region’s largest robotic surgery capacity.

Food Safety & Retail: Taylor Farms is recalling jalapeño-containing prepared foods tied to a multistate salmonella outbreak, with products sold at Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Whole Foods and others in 26 states including West Virginia; the FDA/USDA actions follow reports of hundreds sickened. Public Policy & Privacy: West Virginia lawmakers pressed Flock Safety over automated license plate reader data storage, ownership and security after concerns about privacy and misuse, with legislators saying they weren’t reassured by answers. Health Care Policy: A bipartisan Senate push would add new annual reporting rules to the federal 340B drug discount program, with West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito among sponsors. Business & Trade: Coupang expanded its Rocket Jikgu and Rocket Cross-Border Shopping services, adding 600+ overseas brands and featuring West Virginia’s J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works in Korea. Higher Ed & Local Economy: WVU football Fan Day is set for Aug. 28 at Milan Puskar Stadium with free autographs from players and coaches. Energy & Infrastructure: A Pentagon memo says the defense procurement model is broken and demands faster delivery and/or increased production for critical capabilities. Real Estate: New data shows 6.9 million U.S. homes now exceed $1 million, reshaping what “luxury” means as appreciation spreads. Weather Risk: A storm pattern threatens flash flooding and damaging winds from the Midwest into the central Appalachians, including the Charleston area.

Education Funding & Classroom Strain: West Virginia teachers say the state’s school funding formula and the Hope Scholarship are driving instability, closures, and shortages—some educators report paying thousands out of pocket for basic supplies. Food Safety & Retail Recalls: Major grocers including Target, Walmart and Whole Foods are recalling jalapeño-linked Salmonella products after hundreds of illnesses tied to Taylor Fresh Foods; separate alerts cover ready-to-eat meat and poultry items. Public Safety Tech Backlash: West Virginia lawmakers held a deep dive on Flock-style automated license plate readers as communities debate whether the tools create warrantless, broad surveillance. School Funding Formula Overhaul: Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s team pitched simplifying West Virginia’s seven-step school funding formula, aiming more money toward classrooms while arguing it doesn’t have to mean a big new spending push. Energy & Mining Policy: State Sen. Chris Rose praised a Trump push for roughly $3 billion in critical mineral projects, framing it as a boost for West Virginia’s mining economy. Data Centers & Power Costs: Residents in the region are increasingly worried that new data centers will raise electricity bills, with local utility and commission discussions turning into cost-and-impact debates. WVU & Local Economy: WVU is expanding student internships at the Nemacolin luxury resort, giving a behind-the-scenes workforce pipeline for hospitality careers. Health & Travel Demand: “Coolcations” are boosting West Virginia’s tourism appeal as heat drives travelers toward cooler mountain destinations.

Flock Camera Fight: Ball State says a Flock license-plate reader on campus was cut down and is under investigation, as vandalism and theft of ALPR systems continues to spark privacy backlash. Energy Costs & Data Centers: A Kentucky utility hearing drew residents worried a new data center could push electricity bills higher, highlighting the local cost pressure behind the data-center boom. Water Quality & Accountability: Gov. Patrick Morrisey faced residents in McDowell County showing discolored tap water and disputing promises tied to new water-infrastructure funding. Food Safety & Retail Impact: The cyclospora-linked lettuce outbreak keeps reshaping demand, with restaurants and producers adjusting supply and sourcing as consumers stay cautious. Mining & Policy: West Virginia Sen. Chris Rose praised a Trump critical-minerals push as a “new gold rush,” tying it to jobs and U.S. competition with China. Aviation Jobs: Yeager Airport hired Dean Selby as director of general aviation, aiming to strengthen services for business and private aircraft operators. Banking Moves: First Community Bank promoted three commercial banking leaders in North Carolina. Gas Prices Watch: Week ending Aug. 1 reports show West Virginia fuel prices easing from spring highs, with county-by-county lows tracked by GasBuddy.

Water Infrastructure & Accountability: Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s Southern West Virginia water listening tour hit a raw nerve in McDowell County, where residents showed tap water they say is discolored and pressed for real fixes, even as the state announced $1.4M in upgrades for Gary. Energy Policy & Home Efficiency: The West Virginia Office of Energy launched the pilot phase of its HOMES whole-home energy rebate program, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy, targeting insulation, air sealing, windows/doors, and heating/cooling upgrades. Aviation & Regional Business: Yeager Airport hired Dean Selby as director of general aviation, tasked with overseeing the Capital Jet Center and FBO operations tied to business travel and economic development. Banking Moves: First Community Bank promoted three commercial banking leaders in North Carolina, signaling continued investment in regional business lending. WVU Leadership: WVU President Michael Benson marked a year in office with a statewide push to rebuild ties, setting up a “Strategic Compass” direction for the university. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported mixed but generally higher prices across West Virginia for the week ending Aug. 1, with regular and diesel still volatile statewide. Public Safety & Fraud: West Virginia scam tracking shows Chester logged one report in June, while statewide fraud losses remain a major concern.