New Oak Ridge uranium enrichment facility to support more than 300 jobs

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Oak Ridge is going to be home to a new, multi-billion-dollar, state-of-the-art centrifuge uranium enrichment facility.

Governor Bill Lee , Stuart McWhorter with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and Orano USA officials announced that the company has chosen Oak Ridge to build a new 750,000 square feet uranium enrichment center. A release from the state says it will create more than 300 new direct jobs in Roane County.

“Oak Ridge is very specific to nuclear for all the reason we know. I think this community knows what that mean and really at the end of the day it is just great local partnerships,” said McWhorter.

During the announcement, officials shared that this is the single largest investment in Tennessee history.

“This company’s significant investment, significant financial investment here and the hundreds of jobs that are created as was mentioned is probably not the finish line but the starting point,” Lee said.

East Tennessee’s background with the nuclear industry was just one of the appeals for the company to choose Oak Ridge as the spot to plant its’ roots.

“To the nuclear industry which is growing in our state we have made investments in the nuclear fund, in the Nuclear Advisory Council,” Lee said.

The educational programs surrounding the nuclear industry in the Volunteer state also set Tennessee apart from other sites.

“The education program that this region is remarkable,” Jean-Luc Palayer with Orano USA said. “I have never seen something like this in other areas of the country. “

Orano specializes in uranium mining and conversion. Construction is expected to take place over the next couple of years.

TNECD said Orano is the second company coming to Tennessee using the Nuclear Energy Fund, which helps nuclear energy-related businesses to come to the Volunteer State. It was proposed by Lee and approved by the Tennessee General Assembly in the 2023-2024 budget and an additional $10 million was approved during the 2024 legislative session.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with additional details.

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