Bedington Data Center Seeks Permit, Mayors Share Priorities, Hospital Expansion Breaks Ground
Published 4 days ago • 14 min read
Observer Weekly
July 30, 2026
Jefferson County, WV news & events
Sometimes it’s the little things that are the key to a bigger story. As a journalist, I’ve learned to look out for details — things that are new, or seem out of place. So it was with the small sign that popped up last week along a fence on Berkeley Station Road (image below). Not bright and flashy like a campaign sign, or clustered in ridiculous numbers like the new housing advertisements. Just some small black type on a plain white background. Turns out, that sign opened the door to additional information about the data center project in Bedington.
Last week we highlighted the plans for the Jefferson Medical Center expansion and this week we’re following up to cover the groundbreaking. If you know your local history, you’ll appreciate that Jefferson County has been waiting almost two decades for this project — since WVU Medicine acquired the Jefferson Memorial Hospital — so it's a story worth telling.
Bedington Data Center Project Seeks Construction Permit
Penzance, the company planning the data center project for the Bedington area in Berkeley County, has filed its application for a stormwater construction permit with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP).
The permit application, which was accepted as complete on July 29, indicates 147.66 acres that will be graded within the overall 565 acres of the project site (outlined in red in the image below).
The application, which is titled “Rough Grading Plan - Phase 1” covers only the initial grading of site — no permanent infrastructure or building construction activity is included in this application. The application describes a Phase 2 which includes putting topsoil, sod and mulch on the graded areas at the completion of Phase 1.
The start date for Phase 1 indicated in the application is November 15, 2026.
he application for “Project Blue Jay” has been assigned permit number WVR 113565.
From Project Blue Jay NPDES permit application
Timeline For The Permit
According to representatives from the WV DEP, the next step is for the application to be assigned to a permit writer. That individual will review the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) submitted with the application and may ask the developer to revise the document to provide missing information or address deficiencies found during the review. This review process can take two to three months. Once the review is complete and a draft SWPPP is approved by the DEP, there will be a public notice that starts a 30 day public comment period.
The application indicates the developer is Bedington Owner LLC, which operates out of Penzance’s Washington DC office. The company provided the following statement to The Observer:
“Penzance has submitted an early-stage grading permit to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for agency review, as part of its commitment to environmental compliance. The permit does not affect the flood plain or wetlands and additional permits will be needed before construction begins. The project remains dedicated to pursuing development practices that prioritize the well-being of the community. Once a tenant is identified and additional project details are finalized, the team will actively engage neighbors and county residents, particularly on key topics like water usage.”
You can read more coverage of West Virginia data center projects at ObserverWV.com. The Observer will publish information about the draft stormwater management plan and public comment links when they become available later this year.
A message from the Skinner Law Firm
Most Dangerous Intersections: Shenandoah Junction Road & Charles Town Road
The intersection of Shenandoah Junction Road and Charles Town Road, near T.A. Lowery Elementary, grows more dangerous by the day. Outdated design and heavy traffic put families and school buses at risk. See why it's one of the area's most talked-about danger zones.
Skinner Law Firm 115 E Washington St., Charles Town WV 25414. 304.777.7777 SEVEN STATES. ONE FIRM. Andrew Skinner is admitted in VA,WV & IL and Stephen Skinner is admitted in WV, MD, DC & NY
Jefferson County Mayors Talk About Priorities And Vision
The mayors of the five municipalities within Jefferson County talked about their priorities and challenges during a lunch forum hosted by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce on July 24.
Amy Panzarella moderated the event, asking each mayor to introduce themselves. The mayors’ responses gave a sense of the differing characters and priorities of each community:
Shepherdstown Mayor James Gatz led off by discussing his town’s role as the center of a “greater Shepherdstown” where people who live well beyond the corporate boundaries consider the town as the center of their neighborhood.
Charles Town Mayor Mike George noted how busy he had been welcoming businesses to town, but highlighted a desire to see more restaurants downtown. He also noted that residents can be frustrated by how slow government moves, referencing the two-year reconstruction project to rebuild the public pool (which opened earlier this week).
Bolivar Mayor Chris Higdon focused on his town's need to update its infrastructure, building on projects begun over the past several years.
Ranson Mayor Ken Suits remarked on the many new people and projects in the city and the need to figure out a sustainable balance as the city grows.
Harpers Ferry Mayor Greg Vaughn remarked that being next to a historic site was both a “blessing and a curse.” He noted that in a typical month Harpers Ferry sees visitors from every state in America and from dozens of countries around the world — a reliable stream of economic activity, but a burden on the town’s fragile infrastructure.
Following the introductions, Panzarella asked questions that were pre-submitted from the attendees, most of which were city/town-specific. All of the Mayors agreed that traffic is a big concern and noted frustration in varying degrees with the State Division of Highways’ planning process. Asked what keeps them up a night, the mayors came back to infrastructure — streets, sidewalks, and pipes that are old and in need of replacement.
Towards the end of the session, each of the mayors talked about how they see the towns succeeding in the future. The responses touched on the need to focus on education, small businesses, entrepreneurship, and leveraging Jefferson County’s proximity to the greater DC metro area.
Panzarella ended the season on a light note by asking each of the mayors to describe their community with a single word (Mayor George of Charles Town took some ribbing for stretching to two words):
Ranson: Resilience
Charles Town: Historically Hip
Bolivar: Community
Harpers Ferry: Endurance
Shepherdstown: Arts
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization open to all community members. Its primary focus is on supporting the vibrancy of Jefferson County. The Chamber sponsors numerous events throughout the year to bring together business, government and community leaders. It also sponsors the Leadership Jefferson program and the Mountain Heritage Festival.
Note: The Observer is a member of the Chamber.
A message from the Jefferson County Assessor's Office
Notice of Filings Due
(for Assessment Information as of July 1 2026)
Dates to File:
Jefferson County Dog Tags: File by July 1
Farm use Forms & Farm Statistics: File by September 1
Commercial Business Report (corporation & business forms): Due by September 1
Personal Property Report (online filing available): Due by December 1
Homestead Exemption: Apply by December 1
New office location: 393 North Lawrence St, Suite 100, Charles Town. 304-728-3224. Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Middleway Volunteer Fire Company (110 Dark Hill Rd, Middleway). Drop off at any time. Volunteers are planning to depart at 11:00 am on Friday, July 31 with a load of supplies.
Cleaning supplies and basic hygiene products are still the priority needs, along with dehumidifiers (you can find a detailed list here).
Volunteer Coordination
If you are interested in helping as a general volunteer or with skilled construction and equipment operation, the Upshur County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management requests that you call 304-472-4983 to confirm current needs. A spokesperson said that they have plenty of general volunteers at this point, but that the needs for skilled workers change from day to day.
The Observer is updating this story on ObserverWV.com as additional collection points and item requests are announced.
A message from the Contemporary American Theater Festival
YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURE OF THE MIND.
For over three decades the Contemporary American Theater Festival has been shaping the landscape of American theater while providing audiences with fearless art that sparks conversations.
Join the conversation! Create your own curated package or see all five plays, then meet the playwrights, performers, and more in discussions and lectures, mingle with fellow theater lovers, and add context to your experience.
Immersion. Amazement. Ambience. All happening in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, a place transformed each summer by a gathering of theater makers and theater lovers, joined in the act of creation.
Auditions for Rocky Horror Shadowcast — The Apollo Civic Theater in Martinsburg is holding auditions on July 21 and Aug 2 for its October Rocky Horror Picture Show event. >>>More info…
Historic Tax Credit for Commercial Buildings — August 1 workshop. The WV State Historic Preservation Office will hold a workshop on how commercial property owners can learn how to utilize tax credits to help finance renovation projects. The program begins at noon at Charles Washington Hall (100 West Washington St, Charles Town).
Historic Tax Credit for Residential Buildings — August 1 workshop. The WV State Historic Preservation Office will hold a workshop on how residential property owners can learn how to utilize tax credits to help finance renovation projects. The program begins at 4:00 pm at the Union Church Community Building (112 East Street, Middleway).
Shepherd University Lifelong Learning — Registration for the fall semester opens on August 3. Click here to view a digital version of the course catalog. >>>Registration information…
A message from the Appalachian Chamber Music Festival
The Appalachian Chamber Music Festival returns August 5-16 for its 2026 Summer Festival with two weeks of world-class performances in the foothills of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. This season's theme, Metamorphosis, explores change through Strauss's Metamorphosen, the world premiere of Liliya Ugay's new bass quintet, the elegance of Bach's Goldberg Variations, and Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm."
Join us for a full festival including educational programming and a series of concerts across Jefferson County, West Virginia and beyond! Concerts include a wide variety of musical styles, from familiar favorites to contemporary works and world premiere performances.
Groundbreaking For Jefferson Medical Center Expansion
Community leaders joined executives and staff of WVU Medicine on July 29 to mark the beginning of construction for the expansion of the Jefferson Medical Center in Ranson.
The heavy equipment parked behind the pile of dirt prepared for the traditional ceremonial first shovels (image above) was not there just for show. According to Nicole Dollison, the CEO of Jefferson Medical Center, the contractor will be at work next week knocking down the vacant building still on the lot and digging out for the foundations of the new structure.
While the construction pace seems quick now, the expansion has been a long term vision since WVU Medicine acquired the facility in 2005. Dr. Jan Kletter, VP of Medical Affairs, recalled Jefferson County’s first hospital (circa 1904) during his remarks and recalled his long experience with what he called a “wonderful little hospital” as he conveyed the medical staff’s excitement with the new facility that will allow a broad range of services to be gathered into a single location.
Dollison said WVU Medicine had set the $60 million budget for its Ranson facility when it announced the project in early 2025, but it took a year of really drilling down into the design details and collaborating with the center’s staff to develop the final plans, which include a significant amount of space for future growth.
According to information provided by WVU Medicine, the expansion, which is expected to open in 2028, will include a new three-story ambulatory building with medical office space, an imaging center, and a physical therapy gym. The existing building will be renovated to include a new infusion and cancer care center, which is expected to open in 2027. Existing operations will be maintained at the facility during construction.
Dollison says beyond improving the physical infrastructure and support for patient care, WVU Medicine’s commitment to expanding its Berkeley and Jefferson facilities has significantly helped the system’s recruiting efforts.
A message from Bridge Gallery & Framing
Bridge Gallery Happenings:
The Boggess Family Exhibit closes Sunday, August 2 with an informal reception at 2 PM. Stop in and see this extraordinary collection of paintings by Shepherdstown residents Lynn, Jennifer, Evan, and Isabel Boggess.
The annual ART BAZAAR fundraiser for Animal Welfare of Jefferson County is set for August 15th & 16th. Donations are now being accepted and much appreciated!!! We are looking for art, antiques, ceramics, jewelry, glassware, art supplies and any fun, bazaar-type items you are ready to donate. For information call 304-876-2300.
Coming in September: Art from the collection of Joe Mathews and John Shank.
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Contemporary American Theater Festival — Final Weekend! Annual festival featuring world-premiere and new American plays, readings and special events on and around the Shepherd University campus in Shepherdstown. Now until Sunday, Aug. 2. $ Tickets & Info…
Trail Stewards Volunteer Workday at Yankauer Nature Preserve — Organized by Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Rd, Martinsburg. Friday, July 31, 7:30-10 am. Free. Info…
Foam Fridays — Cool off with foam-filled fun for kids at The Amp at Sam Michaels Park, 235 Sam Michaels Ln, Shenandoah Junction. Friday, July 31, 10 am-noon. Bring swimsuits. $5 Info…
Brunswick History Days — Fun and educational activities for kids. Reservations needed. Brunswick Heritage Museum, 40 West Potomac St, Brunswick, MD. Friday, July 31, 4-6 pm. $8 per child. Info…
Live Theater: Disney's The Little Mermaid — Musical presented by the Old Opera House Arts Centre, Old Opera House, 204 North George St, Charles Town. Friday, July 31-Sunday, Aug. 2. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 pm; Sunday, 2:30 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Farm Day — Meet and greet farm animals, cut your own flowers, and enjoy ice cream. Linden Hall Farm, 10224 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD. Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 am-noon. Free admission. Info…
Guy Brescia Solo Exhibition — Primarily pen and ink illustrations. Exhibit begins August 1 and continues through Aug. 31 with artist reception on Saturday, Aug 8, 1-3 pm. Firehouse Gallery, 108 North George St, Charles Town. Free. Info…
Porch Concert — Pop up concert by Appalachian Chamber Music Festival artists at Bolivar Bread, 914 Washington St, Harpers Ferry. Saturday, Aug. 1, 1:00 pm. Free. Info…
MAC Music: Blair Crimmins and the Hookers — Hot jazz, ragtime and blues music at Berkeley Springs State Park, Berkeley Springs. Saturday, Aug. 1, 5:30 pm. Free. Info…
Contra Dance — Organized by Shepherdstown Music and Dance. Music by Petrichord (Colleen Holroyd, fiddle; Sophie Chang, cello; Bobby LaRose, piano & mandolin). Shepherdstown Community Club, 102 E. German St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, Aug. 1, 7:30 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Concert at the Gazebo: Melissa Wright and band — Presented by River & Roots Productions. 575 Washington St, Harpers Ferry. Sunday, Aug. 2, 7-9 pm. Free. Info…
Concert in the Park: Dawn Rix Band — Nashville-based country music artist Dawn Rix performs at Shafer Park, 37 Park Dr, Boonsboro, MD. Sunday, Aug. 2, 7 pm. Free. Info…
Lecture: What Our Region's Climate Trends Mean For You — Presentation hosted by Potomac Valley Audubon Society at the Byrd Auditorium, Shepherd University, 213 North King St, Shepherdstown. Monday, Aug. 3, 6:30-8 pm. Free. Info…
National Night Out 2026 — Annual family-friendly event organized by local law enforcement and emergency departments with activities, food and prizes. Home Depot parking lot, 230 Oak Lee Dr, Ranson. Tuesday, Aug 4, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Free. Info…
Porch Concert — Pop up concert by Appalachian Chamber Music Festival musicians. Epigram Coffee, 460 Washington St, Harpers Ferry. Thursday, Aug. 6, noon. Free. Info…
Ongoing
St. Isidore Market — Weekly market featuring local produce, baked goods and artisan products. St. James Church, 49 Crosswinds Dr, Charles Town. Thursdays, year round, 5-6:30 pm. Info…
Brunswick Main Street Farmers Market — Held on the second and last Friday of each month. East Potomac St, Brunswick, MD. Friday, July 31, 4-7 pm. Free. Info…
Historic Shepherdstown Museum — The museum is open for its 2026 season for visitors to explore exhibits on local history and heritage. Historic Shepherdstown Museum, 129 East German St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, 11 am-5 pm and Sunday, 1-4 pm. Admission by donation ($5 suggested). Info…
Martinsburg Farmers Market — Seasonal farmers market featuring local produce, meats, baked goods and crafts. 125 West King St, Martinsburg. Saturdays, April-October, 10 am-2 pm. Info…
Shepherdstown Farmers Market — Weekly farmers market featuring local produce, meats, baked goods and artisan products. Behind the Market House, 100 South King St, Shepherdstown. Sundays, April-December, 9 am-1 pm. Info…
Women's Ride on the C&O Canal — A group bicycle ride on the C&O Canal. Shepherdstown. Wednesday, August 5, 5:30-7:30 pm. Free. Info…
The Shepherdstown Opera House is thrilled to welcome back the Town Run Theater Company for its second full season! Each production is scheduled for 6 performances over two weekends. Order your tickets now:
Spotlight — Safety & Community at National Night Out
This year’s National Night Out will take place on August 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Home Depot parking lot (230 Oak Lee Drive, Ranson).
Law enforcement personnel from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office, all of the municipal police departments in Jefferson County, and other first responders will be on hand to engage with the community.
Asking Saves Kids
The Panhandle Gun Safety Group will have a booth at this year’s event to hand out free gun locks and promote “Asking Saves Kids” — a program to create awareness among parents and caregivers about gun safety, particularly encouraging people to ask “is there an unlocked gun where my child plays?”
A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery in March 2025 concluded that firearm injury has become the leading cause of pediatric death in the United States. The study examined a national health reporting database and counted 8,043 unintentional pediatric injuries between 2017 and 2022, with 56 percent of those incidents happening in the child’s home.
The “Asking Saves Kids” (ASK) program focuses on efforts to reduce these numbers — similar to the national campaign for child car seat use which has markedly reduced the rates of child injury in vehicle crashes.
Every week, The Observer digs into the details that matter in Jefferson County. Our content is free for everyone to read, but producing well-researched local news isn’t free.
