Centrus Energy Expansion to Create 300 Jobs in Pike County, Ohio
Pike County, Ohio – Centrus Energy has announced a $1.58 billion expansion project at the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, marking one of the largest clean energy investments in the region’s history. The development is expected to create 300 permanent jobs and employ nearly 1,000 construction workers at its peak.
The expansion will boost Centrus Energy’s uranium enrichment capacity to support the growing demand for nuclear fuel in the U.S., reducing dependence on imports from Russia and China. With America’s energy needs driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data centers, the project positions Ohio as a national leader in nuclear energy production.
A Historic Investment in Ohio’s Energy Future
Governor Mike DeWine praised the project, emphasizing its role in strengthening Ohio’s economy and workforce:
“This is great news for Ohio. Centrus is expanding right here in Piketon. At least 299 new jobs will be created, alongside retaining 127 existing ones.”
The Piketon site once powered U.S. nuclear weapons and later commercial reactors until its closure in the early 2000s. Cleanup and redevelopment have been ongoing, with new plans including hydrogen power plants and nuclear reactors.
High-Wage Jobs and Economic Growth
Centrus Energy will partner with JobsOhio to hire for a range of roles, including engineers, operators, electricians, and accountants. These positions will offer an average wage of $50 per hour, generating more than $31 million in payroll for the state annually.
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted highlighted the project’s significance for both energy independence and national security:
“Our adversaries on the battlefield are our uranium suppliers today. This project changes that. If America wants zero-carbon energy to power AI and beyond, nuclear is the way forward.”
Boosting U.S. Nuclear Leadership
Using advanced centrifuge technology manufactured in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Centrus will produce high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU), essential for the next generation of nuclear reactors. The company also plans to supply low-enriched uranium for nearly all of the 94 nuclear reactors currently operating in the United States.
With a nationwide supply chain spanning 13 states, the expansion will not only impact Pike County but also bring growth opportunities to surrounding areas like Chillicothe, Portsmouth, and Waverly.
Gary Arnett, Pike County’s economic development director, noted:
“This expansion will be a shot in the arm for Pike County and every county touching it.”
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