PADUCAH, Ky. – The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development has announced a commitment of up to $420,000 to the United States Enrichment Corporation’s Paducah Uranium Enrichment Plant to provide training during USEC’s current fiscal year in support of increased enrichment levels.

“We are very pleased with the strong support from the State of Kentucky,” said Paducah General Manager Howard Pulley. “Governor Paul Patton and Secretary Gene Strong have demonstrated a true commitment to our employees and this community.

“We also greatly appreciate the work of J. R. Wilhite, Commissioner of the Department of Community Development; Ken Carroll, Executive Director of the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation; and their Boards of Directors for their tireless efforts to assist existing industry in Kentucky.”

The grant is being used to train employees to operate the Paducah plant at a higher enrichment level. This upgrade will allow the plant to operate as USEC’s only enrichment facility. USEC will match the grant on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

In June 2000, USEC announced that it would end enrichment operations at its Portsmouth, Ohio, Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The higher-level enrichment process carried out there would be transferred to Paducah.

The funds are being granted through the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), Kentucky’s state-funded industry-specific training program. BSSC programs are developed in partnership with the company to design specific programs of skills training.

“We are very appreciative of the support we’ve received in seeking this funding,” said Pulley. “On the local level, Representative Charles Geveden has provided excellent leadership of the effort, in conjunction with Senator Bob Leeper and our other area legislators. The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Paducah Economic Development Council and the Purchase Area Development District have also provided outstanding unified support throughout the process. Local officials, such as Judge/Executive Danny Orazine, also supported the plant’s effort.”

The BSSC grant commitment will support training activities for the current fiscal year, ending June 30. Additional grant funds will be available for training activities during the following fiscal year.

In announcing the commitment, Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Gene Strong said the current expansion of work at the Paducah plant is important to Kentucky and the Paducah area. He acknowledged USEC’s recent decision to expand its Paducah operation and said he looked forward to supporting the plant’s enhanced operation.

USEC Inc., a global energy company, is the world’s leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants.

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