Bruce Wilcox of the Greater Paducah Economic Development Organization briefed the McCracken County Fiscal Court on Aug. 25 about several large prospective projects at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Paducah site, including a planned uranium enrichment facility and interest from potential artificial‑intelligence data‑center operators.

Why it matters: The projects, if they advance, would bring large private investment, permanent jobs and additional industrial activity to western Kentucky and could change long‑term economic planning for the county and region.

Wilcox told the court that General Matter (described in his remarks as the “American Enrichment Company”) has signed a multidecade lease with the DOE for about 100 acres on the DOE property and plans to build a U.S.-owned, privately developed uranium enrichment facility to produce low‑enriched uranium (LEU) and high‑assay low‑enriched uranium (HALEU). He said General Matter expects to employ about 140 full‑time workers and to invest about $1.5 billion, with an estimated recurring annual local economic impact of roughly $71 million. Wilcox said site work could start later this year, with construction beginning next year for buildings that “do not have nexus with radiological activities” while the company pursues a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license.

Wilcox also reported that Global Laser Enrichment filed the second half of its NRC license application in June and had previously filed an environmental portion in December. He said the company acquired property adjacent to DOE land and intends to await NRC approvals before beginning construction.

In addition, Wilcox said the Triple Rail site clearing and grubbing project is essentially complete, that the core site is outside the 500‑year flood plain and compacted to roughly 92–93 percent, and that the Industrial Development Authority reacquired and then resold a 3‑acre industrial parcel to a new prospect. He said the Triple Rail spec building (planned at about 100,000 square feet) is moving forward and that the county expects a decision soon from the Kentucky product development initiative for a $2 million grant to redesign and market that building.

Wilcox told the court the Paducah DOE site has been named one of four preferred sites nationwide for large AI data centers following a Department of Energy request for information. He cited the site’s proximity to multiple transmission owners—NextEra (noted in his remarks as “NextTerra”), TVA, Kentucky Utilities and Big Rivers Electric—and its location inside the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) footprint as a competitive advantage for large power demands. He described MISO capacity figures in his remarks and said the county would host an industry day and later issue requests for proposals to qualified bidders.

Court members asked about timing and local follow‑up; Wilcox said more detailed project updates would be provided in executive session for confidential economic‑development negotiations. He closed by noting additional outreach the development organization has undertaken, including participation with the Kentucky Association of River Ports and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers.

The court took no formal vote on the presentation in open session; Wilcox said some project updates would be discussed in executive session later in the meeting.

Sources and attribution: Direct quotations and figures in this article are attributed to Bruce Wilcox during his Aug. 25 presentation to the McCracken County Fiscal Court. Other court comments are unattributed where specific names were not provided in the transcript.

Next steps: Wilcox said site work for some projects may begin later this year and that the county anticipates hosting an industry day and later issuing requests for proposals; several project updates were scheduled for executive session.