PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — An advanced nuclear energy company opened the doors to its new global headquarters and manufacturing facility off Northlake Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens on Wednesday.
The company, Ampera, is building a new class of energy systems, creating what it calls an "ultra-safe" and compact nuclear reactor that could power entire communities.
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Ampera has hired 100 people to start, with plans to scale to 2,500 employees. The company hopes to eventually produce 150 systems a year at the facility.
Founder and CEO Brian Matthews gave WPTV reporter Michael Hoffman an exclusive first look at the product being manufactured.
"Proud to be an American company," Matthews said. "Can't think of a better place to be."
Ampera claims to have cracked the code on mobile nuclear reactors, condensing a nuclear power plant into the size of a shipping container.
"We hopefully will be the first company to bring this to market," Matthews said.
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Unlike most nuclear power plants, which use enriched uranium, Ampera's generators use a different energy source called thorium.
"Thorium is naturally abundant. It's got an extremely long half-life, so we find it everywhere. And thorium gives you tremendous benefits," Matthews said.
Two of the biggest benefits are that thorium produces less radioactive waste and carries zero risk of a runaway reaction that could cause a meltdown or disaster.
"We don't have a self-sustaining chain reaction. And if you don't have a self-sustaining chain reaction, if you remove the power to neutron generators, the system can only shut down. It is impossible for the system to continue, so that's completely unique in nuclear technology. It's been sort of Holy Grail," Matthews said.
The compact and mobile reactors are currently in the pre-application process for regulatory approval. Ampera's goal is to power AI data centers, military infrastructure, industry and eventually homes.
"The systems can power thousands of homes, 10,000 to 20,000 homes," Matthews said.
"The natural evolution of that is to power communities, remote communities, any communities that aren't grid-connected," Matthews said.
While the startup still has hurdles to clear before powering communities, Matthews said production will be up and running by the end of the decade.
"That is the dream. We'll go step by step, but the technology will do the talking," Matthews said.
Matthews considered Tampa and Orlando before selecting Palm Beach Gardens for the headquarters.
"I think for a technology company, you want to be connected to investment community. You want access to high net worth individuals and likewise technology companies," Matthews said.
"TECHNOLOGY WILL DO THE TALKING"
Scott Fisher, a former Navy pilot who started working at the company in January, said a random conversation led him to the job.
"It's not the theme park sense here. It's more laid back," Fisher said.
The projected 2,500 jobs at Ampera represent just over 10 percent of the positions Northern Palm Beach County will need to fill in the next four years.
Noel Martinez, CEO of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, noted that 85,000 people are expected to move to the region during that same timeframe.
"The quality of life is what makes this community so special," Martinez said.
Martinez said the chamber's 800-plus members consistently raise concerns about workforce talent, recruitment, insurance costs, and affordable housing. He noted that 83 percent of the businesses he represents have five employees or fewer.
"Workforce talent and recruitment. They're still struggling to find and keep the right people. Insurance costs obviously is another big issue for them and housing that's affordable," Martinez said.
The chamber recently unveiled a regional strategic plan to address affordability and accessibility without displacing the essential workforce, dubbing the region the "Prosperity Coast."
"That is the dream. We'll go step by step, but the technology will do the talking," Matthews said.
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