Feature Illustration: Artist rendering of the reactor facility. Image: Hillsdie Architecture.

Posted: 5-3-2026

by Art Benavidez

Lockhart (Caldwell County) — A next-generation nuclear research facility is moving forward near the city, where Oklo Inc. is developing the Groves Isotopes Test Reactor as part of a broader push to expand domestic isotope production and advanced energy infrastructure.

The project centers on the construction of a pilot-scale reactor facility utilizing Oklo’s Versatile Isotope Production Reactor (VIPR) concept. The scope of work includes the development of a specialized reactor system to produce critical radioisotopes for medical treatments, industrial applications, scientific research, and national security. The facility will serve as a testing and validation platform, enabling engineers to refine reactor operations, validate isotope production processes, and lay the foundation for future commercial-scale deployment. Target operations are slated for July 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

The development team includes Atomic Alchemy, a subsidiary of Oklo leading isotope production efforts, alongside general contractor Century Construction Inc. and concrete partner BCS Concrete LLC. The project is being delivered under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Energy through its Reactor Pilot Program, which is designed to accelerate advanced nuclear development. The recent approval of the Nuclear Safety Design Agreement marks a key milestone, allowing the project to advance into the detailed safety analysis and execution phases.

The reactor will be located within the planned Proto-Town Innovation Hub in Caldwell County, a broader development envisioned to support emerging technologies across robotics, energy, and advanced manufacturing. Beyond the immediate build, the facility is expected to play a critical role in reducing U.S. reliance on foreign isotope supply chains, with long-term implications for cancer treatment, space exploration, and high-tech manufacturing. The project also positions Central Texas as a growing hub for advanced nuclear and research-driven infrastructure, with the anticipated expansion of commercial isotope production facilities later this decade.

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