By Stephen Smoot
Last week at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Annual Summit, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey laid out a vision for energy and infrastructure in the Mountain State moving forward. Alongside a new slate of proposals, the Governor discussed a collaboration between Microsoft and Clearway to inject $13 million into regional needs.
Funding will continue annually for 20 years.
The Governor spoke of an initial $4.5 million already allocated in the Community Energy Fund and managed by the Sustain Our Future Foundation “managing grant distribution and working with community members to identify priorities for future grant cycles.”
“This state is more than an American energy powerhouse,” noted Governor Morrisey in a release from Clearway, “it is our schools, our entrepreneurs, and our volunteer firefighters, who today gained $4.5 million towards their efforts to raise the quality of life around our state.”
Paul Sari, Director of Global Carbon-Free Energy at Microsoft, said of the move “this is what Community First AI infrastructure looks like – supporting and investing in communities where we do business.”
Funding comes as part of the long-term power purchase agreement between Clearway and Microsoft. The technology giant purchases power from the Clearway wind farm on Mount Storm that straddles Corridor H/US Route 48.
Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, Mont West Community and Technical College, West Virginia State University, and Bluefield State University will also receive grant support. West Virginia State and Bluefield State are West Virginia’s representatives on the list of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Funds also went to the West Virginia Community Development Hub and the Eastern West Virginia Community Action Agency. Governor Morrisey made specific mention of their work in helping vulnerable households better seal off their homes against extremes of cold and hot weather.
Hardy County residents will also see direct benefit in support for the South Branch Career and Technical School, offering world-class skills training in a variety of trades, health care, and small business applications. South Branch serves Hardy, Grant, and Pendleton counties.
“The future of the workforce in the Potomac Highlands region is brighter than ever thanks to this collaboration between Clearway and Microsoft. These funds will enhance workforce training programs preparing students and adult learners . . . for high-demand careers and opportunities right in their backyard.”
Grant County, home of the Mount Storm wind farm, received much of the funding. It supported local schools, emergency responders, economic development agencies, and more. That county has enjoyed a remarkable run in 2026 of positive news in the energy sector, with major projects and a number of jobs now slated for the area.
Callie Dayton of Clearway stated that “energy infrastructure continues to build economic strength in West Virginia, in addition to delivering home-grown power into the local electric grid.”
