Chicago Construction News staff writer
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. has announced plans to build a new manufacturing research and development facility in Illinois, an investment of more than $12 million supported by the state’s Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) program.
The project is expected to create 50 new full-time jobs and advance the state’s leadership in clean energy innovation. NANO Nuclear will receive $6.8 million in incentive awards through the REV Illinois program.
“I’m proud to welcome NANO Nuclear to Illinois’ growing clean energy economy,” Governor JB Pritzker said in a statement. “Our qualified workforce, unmatched infrastructure, and competitive incentives all make Illinois the best state for companies investing in clean energy production.”
The company has acquired a 23,537-square-foot facility in the Chicagoland area, including a 7,400-square-foot non-nuclear demonstration area, to support engineers, component manufacturers, and researchers. The site will also serve as a hub for collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on NANO Nuclear’s KRONOS MMR™ Microreactor Energy System.
“With Illinois being the birthplace of the controlled nuclear chain reaction and a leader in nuclear power generation, this is the ideal ecosystem for us to thrive,” said Dr. Florent Heidet, NANO Nuclear’s Chief Technology Officer.
University of Illinois Engineering Dean Rashid Bashir added that the partnership reinforces the state’s leadership in nuclear energy research and workforce development.
The project aligns with Illinois’ Economic Growth Plan, which targets clean energy and advanced manufacturing industries. NANO Nuclear joins a growing list of clean energy companies expanding in Illinois, including Richardson Electronics and Pure Lithium.
