By Bill Hagerty
Economic development does not happen by accident. Communities must compete for investment, jobs and opportunity. They need good roads, a capable workforce, access to markets and the infrastructure that allows businesses to grow.
In the 21st-century economy, that increasingly means one thing: reliable, abundant electricity.
That is why the proposed Valley North Project deserves serious consideration in Grant County and across West Virginia. Valley Link is proposing approximately 260 miles of new 765-kilovolt transmission infrastructure connecting Putnam County with Frederick County, Maryland. Potential study segments include Grant County, although a final route has not yet been selected. The project is designed to strengthen the regional grid as electricity demand is expected to grow dramatically in the coming decade.
For Grant County, this discussion should be about more than transmission towers and power lines. It should be about what kind of economic future we want to build.
Businesses considering where to locate or expand look at many factors, but access to reliable energy is increasingly near the top of the list. Manufacturers, technology companies, logistics operations, healthcare facilities and other major employers cannot afford unreliable power or a grid that lacks the capacity to support future growth. As competition for investment intensifies, communities that are prepared with the infrastructure businesses need will have a clear advantage.
West Virginia has always been an energy state. Our natural resources and hardworking people helped power America for generations. But if we want to remain competitive, we must also invest in the infrastructure needed to deliver energy where it is needed.
That is precisely the opportunity projects like Valley Link represent.
The Valley North Project would strengthen the transmission backbone connecting West Virginia to the broader region. A single 765-kV line is capable of moving large amounts of electricity efficiently over long distances, providing the capacity necessary to support homes, businesses and growing industries. Valley Link says the project will also reduce bottlenecks on the existing system and improve the grid’s ability to withstand extreme weather and other unexpected challenges.
The economic benefits would not be limited to some distant future. Major infrastructure projects create activity during construction as well. The project will support hundreds of construction jobs, while workers and contractors spend money at local restaurants, stores, hotels and other businesses.
But perhaps even more important are the long-term benefits that would continue long after construction crews leave. According to preliminary tax analyses, the approximately 225 miles of transmission line expected to be located in West Virginia could generate nearly $14 million in annual property tax revenue. Of that total, nearly $9 million would support local schools, providing a recurring source of funding for classrooms, educational programs and opportunities for students across the region.
The project is also expected to provide nearly $5 million annually to county governments, helping support roads, emergency services, transportation improvements and other community priorities. These are not one-time benefits. They represent a long-term investment in the communities that host this infrastructure.
For a rural county like ours, those benefits matter.
In Grant County alone, preliminary estimates project that Valley North could contribute approximately $1.25 million in annual property tax revenue, including roughly $780,000 for local schools and approximately $460,000 for county services. For a community our size, that level of recurring revenue could make a meaningful difference in strengthening local institutions and maintaining essential services without placing additional burdens on taxpayers.
We should also recognize the broader economic principle at work. Infrastructure investment creates a ripple effect. Workers earn wages and spend them locally. Businesses provide goods and services to support construction. Local governments receive revenue that can be reinvested in communities. Valley Link cites research suggesting that infrastructure projects can generate between $1.50 and $2.50 in economic activity for each dollar invested.
The benefits also extend over time. Preliminary projections indicate the Valley North Project could contribute nearly $280 million in property tax revenue over a 20-year period, creating lasting value for communities across West Virginia. Investments of this scale can help support better schools, safer roads, stronger emergency services and improved local infrastructure for decades.
Of course, economic development must be pursued responsibly. Property owners deserve to be treated with respect, and residents deserve a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their communities. Valley Link has emphasized that no final route has been selected and that public feedback is being considered as potential routes are evaluated. Valley Link is also looking to parallel existing rights of way whenever possible. That process is important, and Grant County residents should continue to participate in it.
But we should not lose sight of the larger picture.
America’s demand for electricity is growing. The regions and communities that prepare for that future will be better positioned to compete for jobs and investment. Grant County has an opportunity to be part of an infrastructure investment designed not simply to meet today’s needs, but to support economic growth for decades to come.
We cannot build tomorrow’s economy with yesterday’s infrastructure.
Valley Link represents an opportunity to strengthen our energy foundation, support local economic activity and generate substantial long-term investment in our schools and communities. We should approach the project thoughtfully, demand a fair and transparent process, and listen to the concerns of our neighbors.
While the revenue figures are preliminary estimates based on current tax analyses and levy rates, they illustrate the scale of the opportunity before us.
But we should also recognize opportunity when it comes our way.
For Grant County, reliable energy infrastructure is not just about keeping the lights on. It is about strengthening our schools, supporting local services and keeping the door open to economic growth.
