Roane County Represented at ETEC NOW Conference
Published: Aug 1, 2025
Roane County Executive Wade Creswell recently attended the 2025 Nuclear Opportunities Workshop (NOW) hosted by the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) at the Knoxville Convention Center. The two-day conference, held July 22–23, brought together more than 450 attendees from across the nuclear industry, government agencies, national laboratories, and regional economic development organizations to explore the future of nuclear energy and its role in East Tennessee’s growth.
Executive Creswell joined fellow regional leaders in engaging with top experts from the U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Kairos Power, Centrus, Orano and many others. The conference served as a platform for collaborative dialogue on the future of advanced nuclear technology, environmental cleanup, innovation, and workforce development.
The 2025 ETEC NOW Conference focused on the theme of “Nuclear Now”, spotlighting Tennessee’s growing leadership in nuclear energy innovation. Panel discussions covered a wide range of topics including:
- AI and automation in nuclear facilities
- Advanced nuclear fuels and enrichment technology
- Environmental management and site cleanup
- Energy infrastructure and national security
- Building a skilled workforce for the nuclear sector
Executive Creswell’s participation in the event reinforced Roane County’s integral role in this growing industry. He spoke with local and national stakeholders about the strategic location of Roane County within the Oak Ridge Corridor and the importance of aligning land use planning, infrastructure, and education to meet the needs of emerging nuclear projects.
Roane County is home to a significant portion of the Oak Ridge Reservation, placing it at the center of some of the most advanced nuclear work in the country. The county continues to collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to support innovation, responsible growth, and quality-of-life improvements for residents.
Executive Creswell’s presence at the NOW Conference reflects Roane County’s ongoing commitment to regional collaboration, strategic development, and positioning the county as a key player in the future of clean energy and national security.
For more information on the ETEC NOW Conference and Roane County’s role in the nuclear corridor, visit ETEC’s website or contact the County Executive’s Office.
