The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with city officials, is exploring the potential to attract a next-generation nuclear power facility to Hutchinson — a move that could bring major economic and infrastructure growth to the region.
The interest follows a September 23 announcement from TerraPower, a company founded by Bill Gates, which signed a memorandum of understanding with Evergy and the Kansas Department of Commerce to build a new Natrium nuclear reactor somewhere within Evergy’s Kansas service area.
Upon learning of that partnership, Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas contacted Chamber President and CEO Debra Teufel to see whether Hutchinson might be a viable candidate. The two began early discussions about how to position the city as an attractive option for such a high-tech energy project.
Teufel said the inquiry is part of the city’s ongoing effort to identify forward-looking economic development opportunities. The Chamber and city have now set a target date of December 1 to identify potential industrial sites near existing 345-kilovolt power transmission lines — a key factor in energy infrastructure development.
While no site has been selected, Teufel said Hutchinson already has several advantages, including land zoned for heavy industry, available water capacity, and highway and rail access capable of supporting large-scale construction and supply needs. She also cited USD 308’s Career & Technical Education Academy as a resource that could help train local students for both construction and long-term technical jobs.
City Councilmember Jon Richardson said the council is open to learning more about the opportunity, noting Hutchinson’s strong fire protection rating and existing utility systems as selling points. Richardson added that the council wants to better understand both the technology and community perspectives before any decisions are made.
The Natrium reactor represents a new generation of nuclear technology, using liquid sodium instead of water as a coolant — a design aimed at increasing safety and efficiency. A prototype of the reactor is currently under construction in Wyoming.
Teufel emphasized that projects like this, along with Evergy’s planned natural gas power plant south of South Hutchinson, could serve as catalysts for significant growth along the K-96 corridor.
“Industry follows power, water, and land,” she said. “We have all those ingredients right here.”
While discussions remain in the early stages, Chamber and city officials agree that the collaboration itself reflects Hutchinson’s readiness to pursue innovative industries and energy-driven development opportunities.