Nuclear training center, ROTC building named for Lindsey Graham among USC’s 2027 budget asks

COLUMBIA — The University of South Carolina is making plans for a nuclear workforce training center within its engineering school, as well as a new, $60 million Reserve Officers’ Training Corps center to be named in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.

“With renewed federal investment and private-sector leadership from companies such as Westinghouse, the United States is poised for a nuclear energy resurgence,” reads a statement from the college. “Through partnerships with private industry, federal agencies and the South Carolina Technical College System, USC is preparing to serve as a state and national hub for developing the workforce critical to supporting America’s next-generation nuclear energy ecosystem.”

USC plans to ask state legislators for $100 million in the next state budget cycle, beginning July 1, 2027. That dollar amount will be matched by private investment, the school’s statement said.

The center will be part of the school’s larger plans to renovate and expand its college of engineering and computing. It will train technicians, engineers, specialized construction professionals and operators for both large- and small-scale nuclear reactors.

The announcement comes amid efforts to restart construction of a pair of partially built nuclear reactors in the Palmetto State.

Work continues on a $2.7 billion deal between South Carolina’s state-owned utility company, Santee Cooper, and New York investment firm Brookfield Asset Management for the purchase of the abandoned reactors at the V.C. Summer nuclear plant in Fairfield County.

Decision on potential $2.7B sale of SC nuclear reactors could be 2 years away

Brookfield has until the end of March 2028 to make a final decision on whether or not to go forward with the purchase and reboot.

“By creating a model for developing the skilled talent and technology infrastructure required by the rapidly expanding nuclear energy industry, the center will strengthen South Carolina’s ability to compete for the next generation of nuclear and technology-driven economic development,” according to USC.

A new ROTC center

USC also will seek $20 million in state funding for a new ROTC center named after Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly July 11 of a tear in his aorta. He was 71 years old.

“The Senator Lindsey Graham ROTC Center of Excellence will serve more than 2,000 military-affiliated students and ROTC cadets in what will become the Southeast’s premier ROTC training and education facility,” the school wrote in a statement.

Graham served in the U.S. Senate for 23½ years and received two degrees from USC: a bachelor’s degree in 1977 and a law degree in 1981. He served in the U.S. Air Force, S.C. Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserves from 1982 to 2015. Last week, Joint Base Charleston was officially renamed in Lindsey Graham’s honor.

The school has already received $20 million in federal grants for the center. It plans to request another $20 million.