Hello Cardinal News readers. Welcome back to Cardinal Commerce Notes, our regular feature catching you up on various recent business news items.
If you missed last week’s edition, check it out here to learn more about family-friendly upgrades at Lynchburg’s airport and Appalachian Power’s plan to add more renewable energy to its portfolio.
I’m always on the lookout for news tips. Please email me at matt@cardinalnews.org or connect with me on LinkedIn and message me there.
BWXT’s fuel used in successful test of new nuclear reactor
A new small nuclear reactor design has reached criticality — essentially, operating and stable, although not producing power — using fuel produced at BWX Technologies’ manufacturing facility outside Lynchburg.
The Mark-0 reactor, designed by California-based Antares Nuclear Inc., uses TRISO fuel made by BWXT. The acronym TRISO stands for “tri-structural isotropic”; the “tri” part refers to each poppy seed-sized kernel of fuel having three protective layers surrounding the uranium core to contain radioactive fission. BWXT packaged thousands of the kernels into units called compacts for use in the reactor.
Antares’ reactor is part of a U.S. Department of Energy pilot program designed to accelerate new nuclear power development. The program, sparked by a May 2025 executive order, called for at least three advanced reactor designs achieving criticality by July 4 under Idaho National Laboratory testing conditions.
Ten reactor developers have been working with the program. Antares’ reactor was the first to achieve criticality, according to a June 4 announcement from the DOE. The milestone shows that the reactor can operate safely, a key step along the path to making it commercially viable.
“BWXT is proud to work with Antares and deliver the fuel necessary for this important milestone at the Idaho National Lab and for the future,” Joe Miller, BWXT’s president for government operations, said in a news release. “Antares is moving quickly to progress from concept to criticality and we are proud to supply this team with the TRISO needed to do so.”
Lynchburg-based BWXT employs about 2,850 people in the Lynchburg region.
Virginia launches healthcare jobs website
Virginia Works, the state’s workforce development agency, has launched a new website aimed at helping people find healthcare careers.
The website — called Healthcare Careers for Everyone and available at VirginiaHasJobs.com/healthcare — is intended to “help Virginians of every background and experience level explore, train for and step into healthcare careers,” according to a news release.
The website combines multiple healthcare career resources in one place, with a goal of increasing awareness about jobs, training options and how to connect with prospective employers.
“The healthcare workforce shortage is one of the most significant challenges facing our communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and Healthcare Careers for Everyone helps people see the many pathways into this field and connects them to the training, support, and opportunities they need to succeed, and move the commonwealth forward,” Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin Figueroa said in the release.
Virginia Chamber names new president
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce has named Appalachian Power executive Brad Hall as its next president and CEO, effective June 29.
Hall succeeds Keith Martin, who became interim CEO in August 2025. Martin will become the chamber’s executive’s vice president of public policy and general counsel.
“Brad brings an exceptional combination of chamber leadership experience, strategic vision, and deep knowledge of the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the importance of our rural communities,” Virginia Chamber chair and search committee chair Jennifer Siciliano said in a news release.
Hall most recently has been vice president of external affairs for Appalachian Power, where, according to the release, he “provided executive leadership for the company’s government affairs, economic development, communications, customer relations, and community engagement departments.”
That’s a wrap for this week. Do you know of a new business expanding or relocating in your town? Excited about a restaurant opening up soon? Maybe you’ve got an update on a story we’ve reported before. Please send me your tips and suggestions: matt@cardinalnews.org or connect with me on LinkedIn.
