NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lt. Governor Randy McNally and Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ken Yager (R-Kingston) today announced that the proposed FY 2025–2027 state budget includes $25 million to support expansion of the Y-12 National Security Prototype Center in Oak Ridge, a major investment aimed at strengthening Tennessee’s role as a national leader in nuclear innovation, advanced manufacturing, workforce development, and national security.
The funding would help expand the National Security Prototype Center (NSPC) into a 120,000-square-foot nuclear research and workforce development facility, creating new opportunities for students, skilled workers, researchers, and employers across East Tennessee and beyond. The investment is expected to help unlock significant federal matching dollars and accelerate Tennessee’s emergence as “America’s Nuclear Address.”
“This investment is about securing Tennessee’s future and making sure our state remains at the forefront of nuclear innovation, advanced manufacturing, and national defense,” said Lt. Governor Randy McNally. “Oak Ridge has long been one of Tennessee’s greatest strategic assets, and this funding helps build on that legacy by creating new opportunities for workforce development, economic growth, and research partnerships that will benefit East Tennessee and our entire state for years to come.”
“This is a major win for our region and for Tennessee,” said Sen. Ken Yager. “The Y-12 Prototype Center will strengthen Oak Ridge’s role as a hub for innovation while creating real opportunities for our workforce, our students, and the businesses that support this industry. This investment will help attract high-quality jobs, grow our regional economy, and ensure East Tennessee remains central to America’s energy and national security future.”
The project builds on an existing partnership involving Y-12, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Roane State Community College, the City of Oak Ridge, and regional stakeholders. Presentation materials state that the center is designed to support next-generation nuclear energy, advanced manufacturing, and national security objectives, while helping attract nuclear companies and their supply chains to the Oak Ridge Corridor.
The center would also strengthen Tennessee’s workforce pipeline by expanding hands-on education and training opportunities in a sector that is increasingly important to the state’s economy and the nation’s energy future.
Project materials indicate the investment would help position Tennessee to capture substantial federal research and development support while reinforcing Oak Ridge’s role as the national leader in nuclear innovation.
The proposed funding is included in the governor’s budget recommendations for FY 2025–2027 and remains subject to legislative approval.
