Berkeley County official says planned regional sports complex would bring billions and thousands of jobs; committee advances local development bill

Jennifer Smith, representing the Berkeley County Development Authority, testified in support of Senate Bill 749 and described Project All Star as a planned regional sports and events complex sited near Exit 8 on property the development authority owns. Smith said the project would include eight convertible indoor courts and multiple outdoor tournament fields, described partnerships with WVU Medicine and private operators, and identified consultants and bond advisors helping the authority.

In testimony Smith gave numeric estimates for the project's economic impact: "the sports complex will generate 5,562,000,000 in direct economic impact and 132,000,000 in indirect economic impact and totaling over 5,669 jobs over the first 10 years of operations." Smith also estimated 100,000 annual visitors within three to five years and described expected local benefits such as room nights and support for parks and recreation. Counsel and Smith stated the Berkeley County public hearing had already occurred and that the county would need to submit an application to the division of economic development before levying any excise tax.

The Senior Senator from the 17th asked if they should be required to vote because of an executive role with WVU Medicine that could involve financial participation; the Chair confirmed the senator would be required to vote. After testimony and brief questions, the Vice Chair moved that SB749 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

The numeric impact and job figures were Smith's estimates presented to the committee; the transcript and testimony did not include independent verification or a committee fiscal analysis of those figures.