The New Martinsville Rotary met on June 24, at Quinet’s Court Restaurant in downtown New Martinsville.

President Chuck Clegg began by telling members that a business meeting of the executive board will be held on Monday evening June 29th. Clegg said a new President will take over beginning in July, and preparations need to get underway for the annual Buddy Light and Keith Craycraft Golf Outing, which is a major fundraiser for the club’s scholarship program.

Clegg introduced newly elected WV 8th District House of Delegates member Steve Smith of Doddridge County. Smith began by speaking of his work in the state’s banking industry, which included managing funds for the state of West Virginia, along with several different banking institutions.

Smith said after retiring a few years ago his intentions were to spend time with his grandchildren and work on his farm in Doddridge County.

However, with his vast experience in the financial world of West Virginia, he was persuaded after a time to run for state office and use his experience and knowledge for the benefit of the district’s citizens and state.

He believes the state needs to develop long term plans to upgrade infrastructure to the power grid and water systems. Smith also plans to encourage students to stay and work in the state. He said a recent survey of the 120 students who graduated from Doddridge County High School showed only a small percentage had plans to stay in the state. He believes that bringing industry into the state will help retain our young people.

However, his history working with new business has shown him that employers need two things from the state, abundant employees with skills, and education. He knows from experience that it is not likely West Virginia is going to draw companies with expectations of hiring 2000 employees. But he believes smaller industries who pay good wages will be interested in coming to our state. He explained that our cost of living, and low crime rates are of real interest to small industries. A business in a highly populated area will have higher overhead due to corporate taxes, infrastructure cost, dealing with crime, and higher cost of living.

Mr. Smith also plans to work with local high schools and develop student congresses to get children interested in the works of state government. He has already spoken with local superintendents and explained his program and its goals. Once he is in Charleston, he will communicate with those students in the congresses. He will forward them Bills in consideration before the legislature. Each congress will have the ability to study and discover how the process works. After a bill is passed or rejected, he will explain why.

Mr. Smith was asked, “Oil and gas are plentiful in our counties, how long will they be producing?” He explained his research into the investment end of the industry told him that for the next 100 to 150 years, the reserves below our counties will be producing. He gave an example, that if Marshall, Wetzel, Tyler, and Doddridge Counties were a country unto themselves, it would be the 50 richest country in the world with its natural resources.

He also spoke about the growing debate on the building of data centers in the state. He said with the cost of electricity in West Virginia being high, the reality will be a cost increase when data centers arrive in an area.

He also explained how in Georgia, the legislature developed laws and guidelines where data center owners take on the additional costs and not local consumers. He explained that if the center knows ahead of time the cost, they can plan on building it into their operating budget, instead of adding it to the local power grid. “Company’s want to know the cost before committing to large investments. Unknown cost is what causes problems with company forecasting cost.”

He also mentioned there is increased noise that goes along with the centers. He explained the noise doesn’t come from the data center operations, but from large diesel generators that run a couple hours a day to ensure they are fully operational. Data Centers can never experience a power loss on the grid. Diesel generators must be ready to go online in a mil-a-second with no interruption to the center’s operations.

The Rotary thanked Mr. Smith for his presentation and welcomed him back in the future. The New Martinsville Rotary meets at noon each Wednesday at Quinet’s. Prospective members and interested individuals are welcome to attend and see what Rotary is all about.