May 4, 2026 Governor Morrisey Signs $200M Berkeley Development Bill, Touts Tax Advantage Over Virginia ...

INWOOD, W.Va. - Governor Patrick Morrisey officially signed Senate Bill 749 into law today in Berkeley County, legislation paving the way for a $200 million economic development project at the Tabler Station Exit. The legislation authorizes a special district for Berkeley County, unlocking 275 acres for a new powerhouse of commerce, tourism, and recreation.

"The 'Backyard Brawl' for our state's future is being won both at the kitchen table and in the marketplace. While Virginia chooses to burden its citizens and job creators with higher taxes, West Virginia is choosing freedom, fiscal responsibility, and a tax climate that makes our state more competitive for business than our neighbor," said Governor Morrisey. "We are proving every day that when you trust people and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned money, there is no limit to what our state can achieve."

The Berkeley County site is slated for 556,000 square feet of retail space, anchored by three new hotels and six restaurants. The development also features a massive commitment to public health and athletics, with a $74 million indoor facility for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, followed by a $56 million outdoor complex for soccer, football, and baseball. Once complete, the project is projected to generate $61.1 million in new local spending and add 100,000 hotel room nights to the region.

The Berkeley County project continues the strong momentum behind the Morrisey Administration's economic growth initiatives. Since October, the state has already secured more than $12.8 billion in private investment, creating nearly 12,000 new jobs. These efforts are strengthened by the administration's recent tax relief, including a five percent across-the-board personal income tax cut, the "Working Families Tax Cut," and expanded credits for childcare and domestic research, totaling more than $230 million in annual relief.