On this episode of State of Minds, Hoppy Kercheval sits down with Dado Slezak, Executive Vice President, Energy Capital & Strategy at QTS to discuss the growing role of data centers in West Virginia and QTS's proposed project in the Eastern Panhandle. As state leaders pursue data center development as a major economic opportunity, Slezak explains how QTS approaches site selection, community engagement, infrastructure planning, and long-term investment.

The conversation explores key questions surrounding power demand, water usage, job creation, economic impact, local involvement, and the future of artificial intelligence-driven growth. Slezak outlines why QTS believes West Virginia is positioned to compete for data center investment and addresses concerns frequently raised by residents about energy consumption, environmental impacts, noise, and community character.