United States Senators Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and U.S. Representative Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) toured the Centrus Energy facility in Piketon on Wednesday, highlighting the site’s role in producing nuclear fuel and its potential economic impact on the region.

The Centrus facility enriches uranium used to produce nuclear fuel. During the tour, lawmakers discussed efforts to expand domestic uranium enrichment and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign sources.

Husted said the facility could eventually play a major role in supplying nuclear fuel across the country.

“If it’s done right, we will be enriching enough uranium at this facility to supply all of the nuclear fuel that we will need in America,” Husted said.

Capito said Pike County reminded her of many communities in West Virginia, where families often face limited job opportunities close to home.

“I would say Pike County reminds me a lot of West Virginia,” Capito said. “And we struggle a lot of times in West Virginia with families whose families have been in certain areas for a long time, like here, and the opportunities aren’t there for their children and grandchildren.”

Capito said that can force people to leave their hometowns or travel long distances for work.

“This facility here will provide that net of opportunity for generations to come,” Capito said.

Lawmakers said they were encouraged by what they saw during the tour and believe the facility could help strengthen both the local economy and the country’s energy future.

Officials also pointed to thousands of jobs connected to the project and said continued investment in the facility could give families in the region more opportunities to stay in southern Ohio for generations.