Governor Morrisey Appoints Chris Morris to Lead Digital Manufacturing Council

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - In a decisive move to advance West Virginia's digital infrastructure responsibly, Governor Patrick Morrisey has announced the formation of the West Virginia Advisory Council on Responsible Digital Manufacturing, with Chris Morris at the helm as Chair. This initiative signals the state's commitment to safeguarding community interests while harnessing digital growth potential.

"Digital infrastructure represents a tremendous economic opportunity for West Virginia, but we've seen what happens in other states when development moves forward without adequate planning and protections," said Governor Morrisey. "We're not going to repeat those mistakes. Developers must be responsible for their own infrastructure, protect our water resources, and ensure West Virginia families aren't left paying higher utility bills. This Council will help us establish clear expectations, give communities a voice, and make sure this growth benefits the people of West Virginia."

The newly formed Council will comprise around 15 members, including stakeholders from diverse sectors such as the data center industry, utilities, environmental groups, local governments, academia, economic development bodies, the Legislature, and the public. Their collective mission is to craft a robust 20-year blueprint aimed at propelling the digital economy in a manner that prioritizes residential welfare and environmental conservation.

Addressing critical issues like safeguarding utility customers, preserving water resources, managing noise and road impacts, and amplifying community voices, the Council will also suggest unified statewide standards for technology infrastructure development. These standards aim to prevent inconsistent policies and ensure adherence to both state and federal environmental regulations, while being sensitive to local needs.

One of their pivotal tasks will be establishing a uniform process for identifying communities ready for new developments, thereby aligning infrastructure capabilities with community objectives and impacts prior to project inception.

"West Virginia has an opportunity to build this industry the right way, with clear expectations for developers and meaningful protections for the communities that host these projects," said Chris Morris. "That means listening to local concerns, identifying potential problems early, and making sure development delivers real benefits to West Virginians. I'm looking forward to continuing that work and bringing different perspectives together to help shape the state's long-term strategy."

Chris Morris transitions to this new leadership role having previously served as Director of the West Virginia Data Economy Office within the Department of Commerce, where he was instrumental in shaping the state's digital infrastructure strategy. While resuming his prior role outside of state government, he will continue to influence policy as Council Chair.

In the interim, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Nick Preservati will manage the Data Economy Office, facilitating coordination among developers, utilities, and state departments.

The certification process remains under the purview of the Secretary of Commerce, with the Council providing advisory input. Upcoming appointments to the Council are anticipated soon, with the inaugural meeting slated for later this year.