Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp., based in Seattle, Washington, plans to invest $232 million in a microreactor assembly plant in Gadsden.
The plant will manufacture, assemble, test and inspect non-radiological modules needed to construct its advanced microreactors.
USNC says the Gadsden plant will be the country’s first commercial-scale microreactor production facility and that no radioactive material will be used or stored at the new facility. About 250 jobs are expected to be created at the 578,000-square-foot facility.
“Alabama is home to an impressive array of highly innovative companies, so our state is an ideal place for Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp.’s new advanced microreactor assembly plant,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “This unique facility will benefit the Gadsden community through a significant investment and the creation of good jobs, while also reinforcing Alabama’s reputation for cutting-edge manufacturing operations.”
USNC’s search for a location spanned 16 states and hundreds of potential sites, the company said.
Greg Canfield, secretary of Alabama’s Department of Commerce, called USNC’s technology “safe and amazing.”
“USNC’s microreactors will be produced at the state-of-the-art facility in Gadsden and shipped as modules to sites around the world, allowing for the generation of reliable energy anywhere,” he said.