Start-up company converting former Washington County nuclear reactor site into research facility

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The technology start-up company Xtremis with the help of the University of Arkansas is planning to open an innovative facility for electromagnetic spectrum technologies.

Xtremis will make the old nuclear reactor site, the former Southwest Experimental Fast Oxide Reactor (SEFOR), an open-air laboratory to develop technologies to improve wireless devices and communications.

“Xtremis does defense contracting work in the radio frequency spectrum,” said Mike Malone, vice president of the Division of Economic Development with the University of Arkansas .

Dubbed the Devil’s Den Proving Grounds, Xtremis will invest around $30 million to begin its first phase of converting the site. Malone says the company looked at a range of universities across the nation before starting its partnership with the U of A.

“It was the perfect match of research capabilities, a workforce that is flowing out of the university but also a site that led them to Arkansas,” said Malone.

In August 2023, the university joined the Pathfinder program. The program is an initiative which is monitored by the Army.

“Designed to accelerate technology that is beneficial to the soldiers on the battlefield by connecting them to academic institutions,” said Rep. Steve Womack.

Malone says Xtremis will be providing job opportunities for graduates.

“They’ve already started hiring our graduates. They’ve entered into research partnerships with us, and they are going to grow a bunch more jobs. I’m confident they are going to hire more of our graduates,” said Malone.

The company will work to reduce radio frequency emissions and will enable an AI system to sense when enemies are trying to jam communications. Womack says Congress is a major stakeholder in the project.

“If we are going to advance technology to benefit our soldiers, marines, airmen, guardians, it’s going to require money. So, we were able to put money in the last defense bill. About $10 million in order to help with the capabilities being developed on that Strickler site,” said Womack.

According to Malone, this partnership shows the university can help grow jobs and attract companies to Northwest Arkansas.

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