WEST FORK, Arkansas — A former nuclear test site in West Fork has been vacant for years, but it will soon be transformed into a lab to develop electromagnetic technology.
The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville is partnering with tech startup Xtremis to transition the Devil's Den Proving Grounds into an innovation campus that can serve as the primary location for the development of electromagnetic spectrum control systems.
Xtremis CEO Jay Harrison says "Our technologies work with existing radio transmitters to tell them where they need to operate. so if there's congestion or some type of interference, our systems will adapt the radio away from the interference."
On April 22, Xtremis held an event to reveal the project's plans, with support from the U.S. Army Pathfinder program.
The tech startup also has support from Congressman Steve Womack, who said "The fact that the private sector, University of Arkansas, and federal government are working together to solve one of the world's most important national security challenges... should be of interest to everybody."
"Over the next 12 months, we're making 20 direct hires in the area. these are high-tech, six-figure jobs," said Harrison. "In 24 months, we expect that workforce to grow to 32, and then our seven-year plan is 250 direct hires, and 1250 indirect jobs created."
Womack says throughout the process the tech company will need private sector funding and federal partnerships.
"As a defensive appropriator, it makes me very happy and proud to know that a lot of these new starts, and some of the big primes are beginning to look to northwest Arkansas as a place where they can do business," said Womack. "We're seeing some major advancements happen that are going to have lasting impacts on the security of not only our nation but the world."
Harrison says they're still finalizing development plans and construction costs.
The earliest groundbreaking would be at the end of this year, but Harrison said it will likely happen in the first quarter of 2025.
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