UW’s Manufacturing Works to support federally funded nuclear energy tech hub
LARAMIE (WNE) — The Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Corridor Tech Hub, a regional coalition that includes the University of Wyoming’s Manufacturing Works, has received an implementation funding award from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration.
The award will support work to accelerate advanced nuclear energy deployment and strengthen the industry’s domestic supply chain and workforce across Idaho and Wyoming.
Led by the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium, the INEC Tech Hub is the only nuclear energy-focused tech hub among the 31 regional hubs designated by EDA in 2023, according to a news release.
Its coalition includes more than 45 stakeholder partners from universities, community colleges, private companies, utilities, manufacturers, Idaho National Laboratory, workforce organizations and communities.
The implementation award moves the coalition into phased work intended to speed the commercialization and deployment of next-generation reactors, strengthen domestic fuel production, expand the nuclear energy workforce and build a more capable regional supplier network.
Manufacturing Works, Wyoming’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, will contribute to the INEC Tech Hub’s supply chain component project. The project is designed to assess regional manufacturing and construction supply chains; document existing capabilities; identify gaps in technical capacity and workforce skills; and help prepare suppliers to support advanced reactor development and deployment.
Working with consortium partners, Manufacturing Works will engage Wyoming manufacturers; assess supplier capabilities and readiness; help identify technology, quality and workforce gaps; and connect companies with technical assistance, training and other resources.
The work also will help manufacturers better understand nuclear energy industry expectations, including ISO 9001, and Nuclear Quality Assurance-1 requirements and other quality systems needed to compete for opportunities in the advanced nuclear energy supply chain.
For more information about Manufacturing Works, visit manufacturing-works.com or email Case at rcase@uwyo.edu.
Ensure These Stories Are Told
Despite the challenges facing independent local journalism, what sustains us — and fills us with deep gratitude — is the loyal support of readers who believe our communities deserve accurate, trusted, and locally rooted news.
It is no exaggeration to say that we are here because of you. Every story we report, every local issue we follow, every public meeting we cover, and every community voice we lift up is made possible by readers who understand the value of an independent newspaper.
Your support does more than fund articles. It helps protect the independence that allows us to report honestly, ask important questions, and keep our community informed without fear or favor.
If you are able, please consider supporting the News Letter Journal by donating to our Unabridged Fund today. Whether your gift helps cover reporting time, printing costs, video, photography, editing, or distribution, every contribution helps keep local journalism strong in Wyoming.
All gifts are deeply appreciated. Your support helps ensure that local stories continue to be told, local decisions continue to be watched, and local voices continue to be heard.
Thank you for standing with independent community journalism.