A New Energy Powerhouse Opens Headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens
On April 8, the City of Palm Beach Gardens became the global command center for one of the most consequential energy bets of the AI era.
AMPERA, an advanced nuclear energy company, officially opened its world headquarters and manufacturing facility in the Gardens Innovation Center at PGA National Commerce Park. More than 150 community leaders, elected officials, and employees attended the ribbon-cutting.
Powering the AI Era With Micro-Reactor Innovation
Currently, AMPERA’s primary market focus is building micro nuclear reactors to power maritime vessels. The company's compact micro-reactors run on thorium, a naturally-occurring, slightly radioactive metal discovered in 1828 by the Swedish chemist Jons Jakob Berzelius, who named it after Thor (the Norse god of thunder). The reactors require no refueling, produce zero emissions, can be factory-built and deployed rapidly.
The target markets, including AI data centers and defense installations in addition to maritime applications, represent some of the fastest-growing power demands on the planet. As hyper-scalers race to secure reliable energy supply for compute-intensive AI workloads, AMPERA positions itself as a critical piece of that puzzle.
"With the growth of AI and continued constraints on power supply, we are developing a reliable, safe, low-cost solution that can effectively change the energy landscape," said AMPERA Founder and CEO Brian Matthews. "We recognize the importance of speed to market for customers and have an aggressive, solutions-based development timeline."
Why Palm Beach County Is Winning the Deep-Tech Race
AMPERA's choice of Palm Beach Gardens is not incidental. Palm Beach County emerged as a magnet for defense-adjacent and deep-tech companies over the past two years. The primary attraction is proximity to Florida Atlantic University's research programs, as well as a growing network of aerospace and maritime suppliers such as Ondas who recently established their West Palm Beach headquarters.
"We're thrilled to welcome AMPERA to Palm Beach Gardens as they establish their global headquarters here," said Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. "This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking, high-impact company that is shaping the future of our region. AMPERA's leadership in advanced energy and engineering not only creates exciting career opportunities, but also strengthens Palm Beach County's position as a premier hub for innovation and next-generation industries."
AMPERA’s move further validates the county’s business development infrastructure, anchored by the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, actively courting companies with significant job-creation potential.
The selection reflects a broader pattern: South Florida is increasingly the destination for energy and defense technology companies. AMPERA joins a region that has welcomed advanced AI infrastructure players, quantum computing researchers, and dual-use defense tech startups in recent years.
The company occupies two buildings totaling nearly 100,000 square feet in the PGA National Commerce Park. Near-term plans call for 100 employees in South Florida by the end of 2026. The five-year vision projects approximately 2,500 full-time employees.
"Companies like AMPERA choosing Northern Palm Beach County for their global operations reinforce our vision of this region as Florida's Prosperity Coast," said Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Noel Martinez. "The addition of hundreds of high-tech, high-wage jobs creates a ripple effect that strengthens our economy and elevates the entire community.”
From Local Investment to Global Strategic Impact
Beyond AMPERA itself, the arrival signals something larger. A company working at the convergence of nuclear energy, AI infrastructure, and defense technology choosing a South Florida HQ, not in Texas, not in the Pacific Northwest, not in a traditional defense corridor, screams where Florida's strategic importance is heading.
With regional accelerators like the Gold Coast Tech Accelerator (co-founded by Stephen Ross's Related Ross, eMerge Americas, and the Florida Council of 100) actively cultivating dual-use and defense tech, the ecosystem infrastructure to support AMPERA's growth is materializing alongside it.
For South Florida's innovation economy, AMPERA's Palm Beach Gardens headquarters is not just a company win. It's a marker that the region can compete for frontier-tech companies and the kind that define industries, not just serve them.
With a vision of 2,500 employees within five years, AMPERA is actively hiring.
SEE THE RIBBON-CUTTING RECAP VIDEO HERE.
