Roane County was honored to host national leaders from the National Association of Counties (NACo) on Tuesday, April 2, as part of a regional visit focused on East Tennessee’s growing role in energy innovation and advanced nuclear technology.
The NACo delegation included President James Gore, Executive Director/CEO Matt Chase, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Rick Hart, Energy Program Manager Blake Gardiner, and Digital Editor Charlie Ban. Their visit included stops in Roane, Anderson, and Knox counties, offering a firsthand look at groundbreaking work underway in our region.
A Regional Collaboration
Roane County Commissioner and NACo South Region Representative Ron Berry helped organize the visit and accompanied the group throughout their time in East Tennessee.
“There are 3,069 counties in the United States, and they chose us to visit,” said Commissioner Berry. “It was a privilege to help organize this opportunity for NACo to see firsthand the incredible work happening right here in our region.”
Local and regional officials – including Roane County Executive Wade Creswell, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs – welcomed the delegation upon their arrival on April 1, along with representatives from the East Tennessee Economic Council, Oak Ridge Corridor Development Association, Tennessee County Services Association, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
“We are honored that leadership and staff from NACo chose to visit East Tennessee,” said Roane County Executive Wade Creswell. “I’m also thrilled that our delegation from Anderson, Knox, and Roane counties were able to grow their understanding of the nuclear renaissance happening here in a way that will shape NACo’s policy positions on energy.”
“It was an incredible honor to show NACo President Gore and a national delegation all that is happening in our counties and larger region around energy innovation,” said Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank. “I am so thankful for their visit. I am especially appreciative of Roane County Commissioner Ron Berry who extended the invitation and helped organize the visit. He has helped us grow our network and build new partnerships.”
Roane County Executive Wade Creswell, Roane County Commissioner and NACo South Region Representative Ron Berry, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, and NACo President James Gore.
Touring the Future of Energy
The group began their full-day tour on April 2 with a briefing and tour of the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Roane County. From there, they visited Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge for a working lunch focused on workforce development and partnerships, where they also heard from representatives of Type One Energy and Kairos Power.
The visit concluded with a tour of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, including stops at the Graphite Reactor, a National Historic Landmark, and the Frontier Supercomputer, one of the fastest in the world.
About NACo
The National Association of Counties (NACo) represents all 3,069 U.S. counties, serving as a key voice in federal policymaking and a bridge between local and national governments. NACo convenes elected officials and professionals from across the country to share best practices, shape public policy, and strengthen communities.
Roane County is proud to be part of this national conversation on energy, innovation, and economic development – and we thank the NACo leadership for visiting and engaging with our local efforts.
Original Source: This article includes content originally published by the Oak Ridger. You can view the full article here Oakridger: Local News, Politics & Sports in Oak Ridge, TN