Unmanned Aircraft Systems moves to Bellefonte Nuclear Power

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Thursday, 13 February 2025 13:31

Xelevate Announces UAS Innovation and Workforce Development in Jackson County, Alabama
Xelevate, the drone infrastructure as a service company providing innovative Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) solutions and operational ranges with sites and locations across the United States, recently announced a new location designed to accelerate innovation and enhance workforce development in the rapidly growing UAS industry in Jackson County, at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant.

Xelevate will use a portion of the Bellefonte site to enable training, testing, and demonstrations in the use of UAS. This will offer UAS ecosystem and emerging tech infrastructure industries a unique operational environment, including industry, federal, state, and local government, public safety, emergency management a safe location to rent time to test, demonstrate, train, innovate, collaborate, and hold small infrastructure-based events. Enabling the safety and security of critical infrastructure processes and protection in this innovative format providing opportunity for federal, state, local law enforcement and relationship building, to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies and trends, gain firsthand insights into industry and government emerging UAS tech best practices and/or capability gaps, with an ability for entities to tech source right on site at Bellefonte.

Xelevate is using space at Bellefonte to enable UAS related entities to test and push forward their innovation, which will enhance the capabilities supporting critical infrastructure and operations.

Xelevate’s work will not impact any potential future TVA generation or development plans for the site nor affect TVA’s UAS operations.

Xelevate UAS operations at Bellefonte will:
• Enable Rapid Tech Transfer: Boost capabilities for federal, state, and local public safety and government/military officials safe drone operations and other protective forces training activities around critical infrastructure such as nuclear sites.
• Develop UAS Training Programs: Tailored training courses will be designed to equip students with advanced drone piloting and operational skills for critical infrastructure applications.
• Enhance UAS Testing Capabilities: Utilize Xelevate’s premier UAS testing grounds to evaluate new technologies and improve operational protocols.
• Promote Safety and Compliance: Establish industry-leading best practices that align with FAA regulations and support the safe integration of UAS into critical infrastructure environments
• Support Workforce Development: Create opportunities for emerging UAS professionals, including internships, apprenticeships, and training programs, to help meet the increasing demand for skilled operators.

“I am proud to welcome Xelevate to Jackson County. From public safety and skills training to partnering with our region’s thriving defense community, Xelevate joins a community in North Alabama that is leading the way in unmanned aerial vehicle innovation. North Alabama’s workforce secures the homeland, and we are glad Xelevate recognizes the dedication of our local talent. This expansion to Jackson County is proof that our region’s expertise in the industry is second to none,” said Representative Dale Strong, Alabama’s 5th Congressional District.

This location enables drone infrastructure to be positioned for the next horizon in nuclear power, and critical infrastructure protection with the fusion of industry, national, and homeland security nexus near Bellefonte. It allows for government and industry to boost bottom line efficiencies, reduce operational downtime, and secure assets with support from drone and emerging technologies.

Xelevate President and Co-Founder Marcy Eisenberg stated, “We are very excited to be working with TVA to use this location; they understand the value of protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure. Bellefonte is an ideal location in Jackson County with its proximity to Huntsville, and working with the local educational institutions in Jackson and DeKalb Counties, we can build a workforce pipeline enabling UAS-related cutting edge skill sets to boost efficiency in local area businesses, while also enhancing Huntsville innovation further. As Xelevate designs and operates UAS facilities to ensure minimized risk and maximized innovation with a focus on economic and workforce development, we are excited to provide a ‘whole of government, whole of society’ approach for the betterment of the Northeast Alabama community.”

Jackson County Economic Development Authority President Nathan Lee stated, “We are excited about Xelevate coming to Jackson County! They are meeting a need for advanced training and infrastructure as it pertains to unmanned aerial vehicles. This opportunity will be an asset to North Alabama and the future growth of our area.”

Currently, there is no facility with power infrastructure for scalable unmanned flight operations and training opportunities, especially near Huntsville, solving an industry and government capability gap for rapid technology transfer of UAS related technologies to mission operations, whether for homeland security, defense, or commercial mission needs. As Xelevate is economic development focused, this initiative will also offer UAS training opportunities for boosting workforce development and skill sets in Northeastern, Alabama for a variety of industries: construction, manufacturing, healthcare, data, public safety, asset inspection, homeland security, aerospace and defense, and partner with local entities such as Northeastern Alabama to include working with Northeast Alabama Community College and Kevin Duke’s Career Innovation Academy, both located in Jackson County. It will enable the ability to train federal, state and local public safety and government/military officials on safe drone operations and other protective forces training activities around critical infrastructure such as nuclear sites.