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WKCTC gets share of $10M in grants to develop nuclear energy sector

Kentucky State Senate Republicans on Friday announced $10 million in grant awards as the first installment to the commonwealth's investment to grow a modern nuclear energy sector, including a portion for western Kentuckty education and industrial development.

The first Nuclear Energy Development Grant Awards were revealed by the Senate Majority Caucus, with Senate members Danny Carroll and Robert Stivers, along with House Majority Leader Steven Rudy and Rep. Randy Bridges. 

Among the awards, West Kentucky Community and Technical College will receive $1.5 million to help train workers for future nuclear industry jobs. To meet demand for highly skilled nuclear technicians, WKCTC will offer customized short-term workforce training for industry-specific certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, and transfer pathways to four-year institutions. 

WKCTC's project will establish a dedicated classroom and lab with a nuclear control room simulator.

Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) was awarded its own $1.5 through the University of Kentucky’s KNEDA Grant to expand similar nuclear energy workforce development across Eastern Kentucky.

The WKEC Nuclear Energy Education and Workforce Plan will use $1.9 million to develop a STEM-focused ecosystem designed to bolster the economic landscape of twelve school districts in nine rural, disadvantaged counties across western Kentucky. NEEW will help ensure that students in districts like Ballard, Graves, and McCracken have equitable access to high-tech careers and allow them to stay in western Kentucky.

Other grants went to American Electric Power to do detailed studies about suitable locations and potential permitting for small modular reactors.

General Matter will use the funding to develop a state-wide roadmap to build enrichment-related nuclear supply chain manufacturing capacity in Kentucky. Currently more than 70 percent of the enrichment supply chain relies on foreign suppliers. 

Global Laser Enrichment’s grant from the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority will support the launch of a new workforce training program that prepares Kentuckians for high-paying careers in the nuclear energy industry, particularly after the construction of GLE’s planned Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility.

The Kentucky Senate Republicans plan to announce more future Nuclear Energy Development Grant awards. 


(Photo: screenshot from press conference by Kentucky Senate Republicans / Facebook)
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