Roane County Executive Wade Creswell’s January 2026 edition of “The Rundown” highlights ongoing county activities and significant economic progress, particularly in nuclear and energy sectors. A meet-and-greet event for local contractors, hosted by County Building Official Reggie Hucks, is set for February 4 at 5:00 pm at the Ag Extension Office to cover updates to the 2024 International Building Code, with all Commissioners invited to attend. Budget preparations for FY2027 are advancing, with department submissions due to Jennifer Hasbrouck by February 13, followed by committee meetings to finalize recommendations by March 20.

Key developments include the U.S. Department of Energy’s $900 million award to Orano for low-enriched uranium enrichment, advancing plans for their facility, with congressional approval for property transfer expected on January 23 and ownership transfer shortly thereafter. The recently passed Energy and Water Budget, led by Congressman Fleischmann and pending Senate approval, secures over $8 billion in FY2026 DOE funding for Oak Ridge contractors.

Industrial updates show strong momentum: BWXT has completed its new 60,000-square-foot centrifuge components manufacturing facility at the Horizon Center in just six months, with a ribbon-cutting scheduled soon to support future growth. Triso-X is progressing with concrete pouring and steel erection on half its Horizon Center site, with expectations for an announcement on the remainder. Kairos Power has completed exterior work on its 80-foot Engineering Test Unit 3.0 at the ETTP/Heritage Center site and continues foundation work for the Hermes I low-power demonstration reactor, which is designed to prove the technology for producing affordable nuclear heat but will not generate electricity for the grid. Hermes II, the commercial-scale plant, is planned to follow, with operations targeted for 2030 under a TVA Power Purchase Agreement to supply clean power. Other projects, including Radiant and Oklo, remain on track for permitting and property transfers.

Residents can find more details by following the Roane County Facebook page.