SODI representatives brief Jackson County commissioners on Pike County reindustrialization and OKLO reactor plans

Kevin Shoemaker, legal counsel for the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI), and consultant John Haseley briefed the Jackson County Board of Commissioners on March 4 about SODI's ongoing effort to reindustrialize the former Department of Energy gaseous diffusion plant in Pike County.

Shoemaker said OKLO has purchased roughly 205 acres at the site and is developing small advanced fission reactors that the presenters described as smaller and faster to build than conventional reactors and able to operate for about 10 years or more without refueling. The minutes record that presenters said operations could begin potentially in 2030 and that companies and agencies including Centrus, SB Energy, Trillium and the U.S. Department of Energy are involved in redevelopment efforts.

The presenters framed the project as a job-creation and regional economic-development opportunity. The minutes state the work would create and sustain jobs for the area but do not quantify projected employment numbers, contract terms, regulatory milestones or environmental reviews. Commissioners accepted the briefing; the minutes do not record formal action or direction tied to the presentation.

The presentation in Jackson County was informational; follow-up reporting should seek documentation or public filings from SODI, OKLO and the named partners to confirm land purchases, project timelines and regulatory approvals.

The board returned to other agenda business after the briefing.