East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC)

Join us this Friday for ETEC’s Friday Morning Meeting featuring Teresa Duncan, Nuclear Strategist with the Tennessee Board of Regents and Vice President of Workforce and Community Development at Roane State Community College. As Tennessee’s nuclear industry continues to grow, developing the workforce needed to support that momentum is more important than ever. Teresa brings a unique perspective at the intersection of nuclear strategy, higher education, workforce development, and community partnerships. 📅 Friday, August 14 ⏰ 7:30–8:30 a.m. We look forward to an important conversation about preparing Tennessee’s workforce for the opportunities ahead. #ETEC #ETECFridayMornings #NuclearEnergy #NuclearWorkforce #WorkforceDevelopment #OakRidgeCorridor #TennesseeNuclear

NOW 2026, by the numbers: • 1,300 attendees • 430 companies • 130 students • 36 states represented • 4 countries represented • 95 supporters • 100 speakers These numbers reflect more than the size of this year’s Nuclear Opportunities Workshop. They represent the strength, reach and momentum of a nuclear community committed to collaboration and progress. NOW 2026 connected industry leaders, researchers, suppliers, students and public-sector partners from across the United States and around the world. These conversations and relationships will help shape the next chapter of nuclear innovation, workforce development and deployment. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of NOW 2026—especially our supporters, whose investment made this gathering possible. #ETECNOW #NuclearIndustry #NuclearEnergy #WorkforceDevelopment #OakRidgeCorridor #ETECcommunity

There will be no ETEC Friday Morning Meeting this week following the Nuclear Opportunities Workshop, held earlier this week at the Knoxville Convention Center. Thank you to everyone who joined us for two outstanding days of conversations, connections and collaboration across the nuclear community. We look forward to welcoming everyone back at our next Friday Morning Meeting. #ETEC #ETECFridayMornings #ETECNOW #OakRidgeCorridor

NOW 2026 has come to a close following two days of meaningful conversations, new connections and shared momentum across the nuclear community. The afternoon of Day Two addressed one of the industry’s most consequential challenges: developing the workforce, policies and partnerships required to support continued nuclear growth. Sessions examined workforce demand and supply, preparing the next generation of professionals, the role states can play in advancing nuclear projects, and the policy and regulatory pathways needed to accelerate deployment nationwide. One message remained consistent throughout the conference: long-term success will depend on collaboration among industry, government, academia, national laboratories and communities working toward a common purpose. More than 1,200 attendees from 35 states and four countries gathered in Knoxville to exchange ideas, develop relationships and strengthen partnerships that will continue long after NOW 2026. We extend our sincere appreciation to our speakers for sharing their expertise, our exhibitors and supporters for showcasing innovation across the nuclear ecosystem, and our attendees for bringing energy, insight and purpose to every discussion. Thank you for making the 2026 Nuclear Opportunities Workshop a tremendous success. We look forward to welcoming the nuclear community back to Knoxville for NOW 2027, August 3–4 at the Knoxville Convention Center. TENNESSEE NUCLEAR NETWORK [TN²] #NOW2026 #ETECNOW #NuclearEnergy #NuclearIndustry #NuclearWorkforce #OakRidgeCorridor #ETECcommunity

Day Two of #NOW2026 is underway, with another full day of conversations focused on innovation, workforce development and the future of nuclear. This morning’s sessions explored nuclear leadership, fusion energy, artificial intelligence, reliable power for increasing energy demand, and the expanding role of isotopes in medicine, research and industry. Tennessee Valley Authority Interim President and CEO Mike Skaggs also shared his perspective on what it will take to power the deployment decade. The momentum extends beyond the ballroom. Attendees continue to build connections throughout the exhibit hall and networking spaces, while media coverage focused on Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Type One Energy further highlights the opportunities surrounding fusion energy. From students and researchers to utilities, startups, industry leaders and government agencies, NOW brings together the people, technologies and partnerships needed to advance the next era of nuclear innovation. TENNESSEE NUCLEAR NETWORK [TN²] #NOW2026 #ETECNOW #NuclearEnergy #FusionEnergy #ArtificialIntelligence #NuclearWorkforce #OakRidgeCorridor

Great to have Governor Lee and Commissioner Denice Thomas at #NOW2026. #NuclearisHere in Tennessee!

Day One of #NOW2026 demonstrated the power of bringing the nuclear community together. From substantive discussions in the ballroom to conversations across the exhibit hall and concourses, the day created opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and help shape the future of the nuclear industry. We were inspired by keynote speaker Xyla Foxlin, appreciated the expertise and candor of our panelists, and were reminded by TDEC Commissioner David Salyers that Tennessee’s nuclear advantage is built on “leadership, legacy and leverage.” The conversations continued at the Atomic After Party, where attendees connected with colleagues and partners from across the nuclear community. We extend our appreciation to Omega Technical Services for supporting this signature networking event. What makes the Nuclear Opportunities Workshop special is not only the strength of its agenda, but the community of people committed to advancing the industry together. Thank you to everyone who made Day One so impactful. We look forward to continuing the momentum tomorrow. #NOW2026 #ETECNOW #NuclearEnergy #NuclearIndustry #OakRidgeCorridor #ETECcommunity

NOW 2026 is in full swing. During the first half of Day One, attendees connected across the concourses and exhibit hall while leaders gathered in the ballroom to discuss Tennessee’s expanding role in the nation’s nuclear future. Chuck Fleischmann, Governor Bill Lee and Lt. Governor Randy McNally shared remarks highlighting how Tennessee is leading the way in nuclear energy—and how the state can continue building on that momentum. The morning’s program also included substantive panel discussions focused on national and nuclear security, advanced reactor deployment and the critical missions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). We were honored to welcome Tim Walsh, DOE Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management, and Brandon Williams, Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). In addition to engaging with local and state leaders and members of the media, he addressed the opportunities that the future of the environmental management mission will create throughout the Oak Ridge Corridor and across Tennessee. From meaningful conversations in the ballroom to new partnerships forming in the exhibit hall, NOW 2026 is bringing the nuclear community together to help shape what comes next. TENNESSEE NUCLEAR NETWORK [TN²] #NOW2026 #ETECNOW #NuclearEnergy #EnvironmentalManagement #AdvancedReactors #OakRidgeCorridor

Welcome to NOW 2026 - the 8th Annual Nuclear Opportunities Workshop. This year’s event marks an exciting milestone, with more than 1,200 attendees representing 35 states and four countries joining us in Knoxville. NOW brings together leaders, innovators, suppliers, researchers, students and public-sector partners from across the nuclear ecosystem. Over the next two days, this community will exchange ideas, build partnerships and advance the opportunities shaping the future of nuclear energy. Thank you to everyone who traveled near and far to be part of NOW 2026. We are proud to welcome you to Tennessee’s Oak Ridge Corridor. #ETECNOW #NuclearEnergy #OakRidgeCorridor #NuclearIndustry #WorkforceDevelopment #ETECcommunity