Advanced nuclear energy company’s technical operations and training center is expected to support 182 direct and indirect jobs
NEW ORLEANS (September 23, 2026) — Applied Atomics will invest $8.2 million to establish its corporate headquarters and technical operations center in New Orleans, expanding Louisiana’s growing nuclear energy and advanced manufacturing sector.
The project is expected to create 41 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $121,000—approximately 79% above the average wage in Orleans Parish. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the investment will support an additional 141 indirect jobs, bringing the project’s potential regional employment impact to 182 positions.
The company’s approximately 18,500-square-foot headquarters at 3333 Chartres Street in the Bywater neighborhood will combine advanced nuclear engineering, light manufacturing, equipment assembly and workforce training.
“Applied Atomics’ decision to build its headquarters in Louisiana shows what is possible when we connect our deep energy and industrial expertise with the companies developing what comes next,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said.
“Louisiana is intentionally building an environment where emerging technologies can move from ideas to commercial scale, creating high-wage careers and new opportunities for our people and businesses along the way. This investment is another step forward in strengthening Louisiana’s position in the next generation of American energy.”
New Orleans Headquarters to Combine Engineering and Workforce Training
Applied Atomics’ New Orleans headquarters will include:
- Corporate offices and collaboration areas
- Advanced nuclear engineering operations
- A light fabrication and component-assembly shop
- A control room and technical training center
- Equipment-testing and development capabilities
- An outdoor training and demonstration system known as the Plexiplant
“We’re excited about the Louisiana region,” Applied Atomics CEO and co-founder Ben Kellie said. “A huge energy producer, this is a place where Applied Atomics can fit in really nicely with existing workforce and future workforce development.”
Kellie said Louisiana’s industrial experience, growing electricity demand and need for low-carbon energy create opportunities for the company’s technology.
“There’s a lot of power demand and power needs, but there are also a lot of opportunities for low carbon power here with data centers coming in and even with existing loads,” Kellie said. “Applied Atomics is excited about coming down and being a part of it.”
Plexiplant Will Provide Hands-On Technical Training
The facility’s outdoor Plexiplant will be a subscale representation of the company’s integrated power plant systems. It will operate using steam and electricity, providing hands-on training for technicians and operators while supporting equipment testing and technical development.
The New Orleans headquarters will not generate nuclear power, and no radioactive materials will be handled, processed or stored at the facility.
Interior construction on the offices, control room and fabrication shop is underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The Plexiplant is scheduled to begin operating during the first quarter of 2027, with the complete training center expected to be operational by the third quarter of that year.
Project Adds High-Paying Energy Jobs in New Orleans
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno said the investment will create high-paying clean-energy jobs while strengthening the city’s technical workforce.
“We are thrilled to welcome Applied Atomics to New Orleans where they have chosen to establish their headquarters in the Bywater because of our city’s strong culture and workforce talent,” Moreno said.
“This investment will create high-paying, clean energy jobs at a non-radioactive facility that will focus on nuclear energy workforce training and design activities. This is also an early example of how Newlab New Orleans is helping our city attract innovative, new energy businesses and anchor our STEM-based industry sectors.”
Moreno said the project demonstrates New Orleans’ ability to remain an energy leader as the industry transitions toward emerging technologies.
Newlab New Orleans Supports Applied Atomics Expansion
Newlab New Orleans assisted Applied Atomics as the company evaluated establishing operations in Louisiana and helped identify its permanent location in the Bywater neighborhood.
Applied Atomics is currently operating from Newlab New Orleans’ Beta facility while construction of its permanent headquarters moves forward.
“Applied Atomics’ decision to establish its headquarters in New Orleans demonstrates what we’re building through Newlab’s platform in Louisiana,” Newlab Senior Vice President of Strategy Sahil Jain said.
“Over the past year, their team has worked directly with the state’s industrial base and developed the relationships needed to scale here. As a Newlab member company, Applied Atomics is part of the growing ecosystem taking shape around our New Orleans hub.”
Project Advances Louisiana Nuclear Energy Strategy
Applied Atomics’ investment supports Louisiana’s broader effort to expand its role in the advanced nuclear energy industry.
The state recently launched its first Nuclear Strategic Framework to guide investment, workforce development and supply-chain growth. Applied Atomics also sponsored the inaugural Louisiana Nuclear Strategy & Supply Chain Summit in New Orleans and is a member of the Louisiana Chemistry Association.
“Applied Atomics is building its headquarters on more than a century of Gulf Coast energy expertise,” Greater New Orleans, Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht said.
“That foundation gives the company a deep bench of research talent, a workforce ready to move into advanced manufacturing and a culture that makes people want to stay and build something. New Orleans isn’t just hosting a headquarters—it’s becoming a proving ground for how the country builds clean energy at scale.”
The Chartres Street property previously supported several industrial and commercial operations, including seafood processing, lumber storage and the Dunbar Molasses and Syrup Company. Applied Atomics’ investment will return technical and light-industrial activity to the historic property.
Louisiana Provides Workforce and Jobs Incentives
Louisiana offered Applied Atomics a competitive incentive package that includes workforce-development services through LED FastStart. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s High Impact Jobs program.
Louisiana companies interested in potential contracting and vendor opportunities can register at SourceLouisiana.com.
About Applied Atomics
Founded in 2025, Applied Atomics is a privately held advanced energy company that develops, builds and operates small modular reactor power plants for commercial and industrial applications.
Potential applications for the company’s integrated reactor and power plant systems include:
- Data center energy
- Synthetic fuels
- Water desalination
- Liquefied natural gas processing
- Green hydrogen production
Applied Atomics’ modular systems are designed to deliver between 100 megawatts and one gigawatt of electricity per deployment. Learn more at AppliedAtomics.com.
About Louisiana Economic Development
Louisiana Economic Development works to generate capital investment, employment and economic opportunities for Louisiana residents and employers of all sizes. Learn more at OpportunityLouisiana.com.
