Governor JB Pritzker and Innovate Illinois have announced a multi-year plan for The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub to develop quantum technology solutions. The initiative is projected to generate $60 billion in economic impact for the Chicago area over the next decade. The Bloch, led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, is part of Illinois’ strategic vision to establish itself as a global leader in critical technological sectors. The state plans to invest $500 million in quantum technologies. If their Phase 2 bid is funded, The Bloch is expected to create 30,000 quantum jobs, train 50,000 workers, and support 200 quantum companies by 2035.
The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub: A Quantum Leap for Illinois
The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, a multi-year initiative led by Innovate Illinois and Governor JB Pritzker, aims to develop quantum technology solutions for pressing issues such as fraud detection, grid resilience, and drug discovery. The project is expected to generate $60 billion in economic impact for the Chicago metro area over the next decade. The coalition behind this initiative includes Fortune 500 companies, quantum startups, world-leading universities, state and city governments, community colleges, and economic and workforce development nonprofits.
The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub is part of Illinois’ strategic vision to establish itself as a significant player in critical technological sectors. The state has proposed a historic $500 million investment in quantum technologies, which includes the development of a state-of-the-art quantum campus and a cryogenic facility crucial for quantum technologies and next-generation microelectronics. If the Phase 2 funding bid is successful, The Bloch is expected to create 30,000 quantum jobs, train 50,000 workers, and support 200 quantum companies by 2035.
Quantum Technology: A Catalyst for Economic Growth
The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub is not just an investment in technology; it’s a cornerstone in Illinois’ vision to drive economic growth and open new job opportunities in critical sectors. The state aims to grow its position as a significant player in the quantum sector. The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub is expected to fund projects led by IBM, Microsoft, City Colleges of Chicago, quantum companies such as Infleqtion and qBraid, and other key consortium members. These projects will create essential feedback loops between quantum technology developers and industry, build the largest community college-led quantum program in the U.S., and provide leading hardware, software, and networks to expedite quantum technology development and industry adoption.
Quantum Technology: A Collaborative Effort
The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub is a testament to the power of collaboration. The Chicago Quantum Exchange, one of the largest collaborative teams working on quantum science in the world, has played a key role in building cross-sector partnerships throughout the Chicago metro area. The Bloch’s plan aims to capitalize on these deep partnerships across industry, government, and academia, driving the research commercialization that is essential to realizing the full potential of quantum technologies. This project not only propels the United States to the forefront of quantum research but also nurtures the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers.
Quantum Technology: A Vision for Inclusion
The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub represents a shared vision of creating an inclusive quantum economy. The initiative aims to equip students with the skills necessary to excel in and shape the future of technology. This historic investment by the State of Illinois, combined with the efforts of The Bloch and its partners, signifies a major leap forward in technological innovation, promising to fuel economic growth, create employment opportunities, and establish Illinois and the U.S. as global leaders in quantum technology and semiconductor innovation.
About The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub and Innovate Illinois
The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), seeks to lead quantum computing, communications, sensing, and related solutions. The CQE is based at the University of Chicago and anchored by Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Northwestern University.
Innovate Illinois is a public-private coalition formed to drive the coordinated effort in securing unprecedented levels of federal funding made available by landmark legislation. The coalition aims to attract more companies and investors to grow Illinois’ vibrant tech ecosystem.
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