- Nuclear energy company to create nearly 200 jobs and invest more than $120 million
- Job creation will bring BWXT workforce to more than 1,000 in Unicoi County
ERWIN, Tenn. – Sept. 26, 2025 – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and BWXT officials today announced that BWXT will expand its operations in Unicoi County.
The company will invest $122 million and create 198 new jobs at its Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (NFS) facility in Erwin, Tennessee, expanding its capabilities to support national defense needs. With this expansion, BWXT’s Unicoi County workforce will surpass 1,000 employees.
Nuclear Fuel Services has been a cornerstone of the Erwin community since the 1950s, producing nuclear fuel material for U.S. naval reactors used in submarines and aircraft carriers.
Supported by Tennessee’s Nuclear Energy Fund
Today’s announcement marks the ninth project to receive support from Tennessee’s Nuclear Energy Fund, designed to strengthen nuclear-related industries and academic programs across the state. The $50 million fund was first approved in Gov. Lee’s FY 2023-2024 budget, with an additional $20 million allocated over the following two legislative sessions, bringing the fund’s total to $70 million.
Leadership Quotes
“Tennessee is well-positioned to lead America’s nuclear renaissance, and I’m proud to announce BWXT’s expansion in East Tennessee,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “This project, supported by dollars from the Nuclear Energy Fund, will further strengthen our state’s nuclear ecosystem and create greater opportunity and prosperity for our highly skilled workforce.”
“This project marks another significant investment in Tennessee’s growing nuclear ecosystem. In September alone, we’ve seen over 1,000 new jobs and nearly $2 billion in commitments from nuclear companies,” said Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter. “As Unicoi County continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, today’s news brings renewed hope and opportunity for the local economy and workforce. I sincerely thank BWXT for its continued investment in Tennessee and its confidence in our talented workforce.”
“BWXT is proud to announce a $122 million investment in Erwin, Tennessee,” said Ron Daily, president of BWXT Nuclear Fuel Services. “This project will create 198 good-paying jobs and strengthen our longstanding commitment to this community, which NFS has proudly called home since the 1950s. We are excited to bring even more opportunities to local families while contributing to the region’s economic vitality and our nation’s energy security.”
“TVA and Erwin Utilities congratulate BWXT on its decision to expand operations in Unicoi County,” said John Bradley, senior vice president of economic development, TVA. “It’s always an exciting day when we can celebrate a company’s continued commitment to growth in the region.”
About BWXT
At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. A U.S.-based company, BWXT is a Fortune 1000 and Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With nearly 10,000 employees, BWXT and its industry partners support the U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration across more than a dozen major contracts in North America. For more information, visit www.bwxt.com.
