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Linda Martin
Executive Director
Tami Sherwood
Business Development Manager
151 North Ridge, Ste. 130
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Phone:(208)522-2014
Toll Free:(800)900-2014
Fax:(208)522-3824
linda@growidahofalls.org
tami@growidahofalls.org
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AREVA Selects Bonneville County, Idaho, for its Uranium Enrichment FacilityAREVA
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AREVA Selects Bonneville County, Idaho, for its Uranium Enrichment Facility.
Bethesda, May 6, 2008 – AREVA Inc. announced today that it has selected the state of Idaho for its new U.S. uranium enrichment facility. The site is located in Bonneville County, 18 miles west of Idaho Falls, close to the Idaho National Lab.
The selection was made after an extensive technical, environmental, and socio-economical analysis of several potential sites throughout the United States. With its decision, AREVA will move forward to seek all necessary approvals from federal, state and local agencies, including a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to construct and operate the facility.
“The United States needs more clean energy to support its economic growth. To enable us to meet those needs we have to expand our domestic nuclear infrastructure, secure our supply of enrichment services, and reduce our reliance on foreign imports. This new enrichment plant is a critical part of this process,” said Michael McMurphy, President of AREVA Inc. He added, “While we had several attractive sites to choose from, we opted for Idaho Falls, which has strong ties to nuclear energy, and which welcomed AREVA and its proposed enrichment facility to become a new member of its community. We look forward to a productive and long-term partnership that will deliver diversity and strength to the regional economy.”
The new state-of-the-art facility represents a multi-billion dollar investment that would create hundreds of high-skilled jobs during the construction and operation phases.
The Idaho Falls plant will provide enrichment services to U.S. nuclear plant operators using advanced proven centrifuge technology developed by the Enrichment Technology Company, Ltd. (ETC), an AREVA subsidiary, and world leader in enrichment services technology. This centrifuge technology has been successfully deployed in Europe for more than thirty years, using 50 times less electricity than the gaseous diffusion process.
AREVA is a major supplier of enrichment services.
It owns and operates the Georges Besse enrichment plant in France, which has safely operated for nearly three decades. AREVA is currently constructing a new gas centrifuge enrichment facility in France – Georges Besse II – which is expected to become operational in 2009.
To find out more, explore AREVA’s Uranium Enrichment Web site at:
http://www.us.areva-nc.com/
More about Areva
As the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector, AREVA Inc.’s 5,300 U.S. energy employees are committed to serving the nation and paving the way for the future of the electricity market. With 45 locations across the nation and nearly $2 billion in energy revenues in 2007, AREVA Inc., through its subsidiaries, combines U.S. leadership, access to worldwide expertise and a proven track record of performance. In the U.S. and in more than 100 countries around the world, AREVA is engaged in the 21st century’s greatest challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet, and acting responsibly toward future generations. AREVA Inc. is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.
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THIS IS THE OFFICAL NEWS RELEASE FROM GROW IDAHO FALLS
NEWS RELEASE
May 7, 2008
Contact:
Linda Martin, CEcD,
Executive Director
208-522-2014;
208-206-5947 cell
AREVA Chooses Idaho Falls
Areva Inc. announced today it will build a $2 billion uranium enrichment plant near Idaho Falls. Areva selected the site near the Idaho National Laboratory over potential sites in five states.
Michael McMurphy, President of Areva Inc. said, “While we had several attractive sites to choose from, we opted for Idaho Falls, which has strong ties to nuclear energy, and which welcomed AREVA and its proposed enrichment facility to become a new member of its community. We look forward to a productive and long-term partnership that will deliver diversity and strength to the regional economy.”
It will take two to three years to design the plant and receive state and federal approvals. Construction is expected to take three to five years and involve as many as 1,000 workers. Once operational, the plant is expected to employ up to 300 people.
“Areva has the technology and the experience, and eastern Idaho has the workforce, the infrastructure, the commitment to advancing nuclear technology and the critical understanding of this industry. It’s a great match that will result in secure jobs and a stronger economy,” Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter said. “This highlights the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory’s importance to our entire state, and it shows what a great investment it was to provide state funding for the Center for Advanced Energy Studies at the INL. We now have public and private resources, industry and academics working together to bring about this new opportunity. I’m grateful to the people of Bonneville County, to the local officials, to Grow Idaho Falls, and to all those who helped make this announcement possible.”
The state Department of Commerce and Grow Idaho Falls, Inc. worked together to satisfy the 39 physical and economic criteria in a state to state comparison. Grow Idaho Falls Inc., the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Partnership for Science & Technology, the City of Idaho Falls, and the Regional Development Alliance began drafting legislation to accommodate the gaps in the tax structure.
“We were able to show that bringing this type of large, taxpaying, for-profit business to Idaho would benefit the whole state, particularly in light of recent declining state revenues,” said Linda Martin, Executive Director of Grow Idaho Falls Inc. Tim Solomon with the Regional Development Alliance estimated the overall economic impact to the region would be approximately $5.1 billion.
“I am very excited that Areva has chosen to do business in our community. What this tells me is that Idaho must be doing something right to attract a company of this
magnitude. It also tells me if Areva wants to invest in our state, there will be others to follow, and that would be a very exciting prospect. We could not have done this without the help from many individuals throughout our community, the state, and our Congressional leadership. We look forward to a long-lasting partnership with Areva,” said Mayor Jared Fuhriman of Idaho Falls.
The Idaho Legislature passed two bills during the 2008 session designed to make Idaho competitive with other states by offering tax incentives. Local government and economic development officials have been working with Areva for nearly a year in the effort to bring the plant to eastern Idaho.
The Idaho Falls groups worked with a number of regional and local legislators, including Chairman Dennis Lake (R-Blackfoot), Chairman Brent Hill (R-Rexburg), and Majority Leader Sen. Bart Davis (R-Idaho Falls). Gov. Otter, Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Cong. Mike Simpson (R-2 ID) made personal supportive calls during the deliberations, in the US and France. The local delegation gained support from across the state, especially from House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Moyle (R-Star), Rep. Jim Clark (R-Hayden Lake) and Rep. Dean Mortimer (R-Idaho Falls) on the House floor, and Sen. Curt McKenzie (R-Boise) on the Senate floor.
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TOP 10 CITIES TO LIVE, WORK, AND BUY A HOME
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October 12, 2007
Top 10 Cities To Live, Work, And Buy A Home, buyingrealproperties.com
The best places to live and work for many would ideally be cities that offer plenty of job opportunities, high quality of life and a low cost of living. Big cities are probably ideal places to begin your career, but low cost locales makes it easier for people to save for a house, start a family and grow along with the town. So if you are looking to enjoy a good quality of life in one such city, you may want to choose from the following list of America's best places to live and work, based on Sperling's Best Places.
These top ten low-cost communities have been diligently chosen based on essential criteria that include plentiful jobs, low cost of living, affordable housing and great quality of life. Several of these locales are college towns and many are located amidst beautiful and picturesque natural surroundings.
The following communities are the top 10 affordable places to live and work, according to Sperling's Best Places.
1. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas/Missouri
Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is a small college town with a progressive feel, a thriving economy and an ideal environment for young families. While Springdale is a hub of several booming businesses including light manufacturing, trucking and agricultural processing, Rogers is a major residential area with a booming economy contributed by big stores such as Wal-Mart. The area enjoys a five-year job growth of 26.1 % (the national average being 4.9 %) and a low unemployment rate of 3.5 %. The three-city area had a median home price of $212,300 in January 2007.
2. Idaho Falls, Idaho
The name itself is indicative of the natural bounty that this town enjoys. Idaho Falls is located on the northeast part of the Snake River and has the Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks in its proximity. Jobs are plenty in this small town that is driven by a mixed economy of agriculture and industry. A nuclear-research center, a health care center and small businesses offer plenty of employment. The town has a mixed population in terms of religion with about half of the residents being adherents of the Mormon faith. Idaho Falls? median home price in January 2007 was $224,800.
3. Logan, Utah
Set in the middle of beautiful mountain ranges and valleys, Logan, Utah, offers great outdoor experiences. Cultural and sporting events are aplenty in this college town. A diverse economy, young work force, family owned businesses and pedestrian-friendly streets are major plus points. This beautiful town had a median home price of $200,600 in January 2007. The moderate climate and low cost of living are favorable for residents. The town has over 70 % of residents who are practicing Mormons.
4. Auburn-Opelika, Alabama
Home to Alabama University, the area is ideal for families and young people. A growing economy, good job prospects and high level of education among residents characterize Auburn. On the flip side, Auburn is removed from other major cities and summers are hot and humid. The job growth for 5 years is 16.1 % and median home price in January was $210,900.
5. Iowa City, Iowa
Another college town, Iowa City offers its residents a lively cultural scene, an attractive downtown and a panoramic natural setting. However, the area experiences harsh winters although summers are moderate. A lot of suburban and large retail developments are happening in the city. The median home price in January was $206,900.
6. Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a small industrial town characterized by Victorian brick buildings and reasonable housing. The city has some decent amenities including a symphony and theater company, and a convention center. The economy is largely driven by manufacturing businesses. Climate in this area can be rather harsh with temperatures ranging from minus 32 degrees to 110 degrees F. The area has a 5 year job growth of 11.86 % and the median home price in January 2007 was $152,300.
7. Pensacola, Ferry Pass and Brent, Florida.
Pensacola 's beaches are the top most attraction for residents who enjoy its 52 miles of Caribbean-like, white sandy beaches. The community is home to a lively bar scene, the University of West Florida and the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The economy is diverse and thriving. On the other hand, the area being a hurricane zone could be a spirit dampener for many. The January median home price was $223,900.
8. Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford, Virginia
Popular for housing the Virginia Polytechnic Institute or the Virginia Tech, this tri-city area offers a small-town feel and college amenities, amidst a beautiful mountain landscape. Residents enjoy a pleasant climate, and a low cost of living with the advantages of arts, entertainment, commerce and health care. Isolation from air service could be a disadvantage to some. The median home price in January 2007 was at a low $197,800.
9. Huntsville, Alabama
The "Space Capital of America' as it is called, Huntsville is home to numerous technology and aerospace firms, besides being the center for research, technology and high-tech manufacturing. Several big companies have contributed to its economy and the city is known for its well-educated and well-paid work force. Residents enjoy the lovely mountainous surroundings. However limited air services and slow progress in infrastructural development are drawbacks.
10. Fargo, North Dakota
There is no dearth for college amenities in this college town which is home to North Dakota State University and has the Moorhead State University and Concordia College located close by. Modern buildings, a robust economy and the lowest unemployment rate in the whole country (2.6 %) makes Fargo a great place to live and work. Although winters are a negative aspect the town offers plenty of action. The area had a median home price of $162,586 in January 2007.
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