Raleigh County Economic Opportunity Development District

SB 535 authorizes five West Virginia counties - Ohio, Harrison, Monongalia, Jefferson, and Mercer - to create economic opportunity development districts where they can levy a special excise tax on sales of tangible personal property and services within designated district boundaries. The bill specifically approves districts like Fort Henry (Ohio County), University Town Centre (Monongalia County), and The Ridges (Mercer County), with each district having defined acreage and unique expiration dates (2053-2054). This tax revenue must be used for public purposes within the districts, and Jefferson County receives special provisions allowing it to set tax rates without state office approval. The bill directly affects businesses operating within these districts and county governments managing economic development projects.