$1.1B Community Benefit Projected From EPB Quantum Assets

Chattanooga is projected to see up to 1.1 billion in community benefit from the expansion of its quantum ecosystem, according to projections by UTC Center for Economic Research Fellow Dr. Bento Lobo. The EPB Board of Directors recently approved a resolution to deepen its collaboration with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, bolstering workforce development and accelerating the commercialization of quantum research. Central to this effort is EPB Quantum Center, the nation’s first facility offering commercial access to both quantum computing and quantum networking. “Through this partnership, we are enhancing Chattanooga’s ability to prepare people in our region for the jobs of the future,” said UTC Chancellor Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, as the region aims to capitalize on the potential for up to 2.7 trillion in economic value created by quantum computing alone.

EPB Quantum Center Access Fuels UTC Research

The potential for quantum computing to reshape industries is now being actively cultivated in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where a bolstered partnership between the Electric Power Board and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga promises to unlock significant economic benefits. According to the McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor, quantum computing alone could generate up to 2.7 trillion in economic value through the commercialization of novel applications, justifying the increased investment in local infrastructure and talent development. This strategic alliance is projected to deliver up to 1.1 billion in community benefit in Chattanooga over the next 10 years, according to UTC Center for Economic Research Fellow Dr. Bento Lobo. UTC plans to leverage this support to strengthen its quantum workforce pipeline by adding approximately faculty, staff, and students dedicated to quantum initiatives over the next five years.

Research programs will expand to encompass quantum algorithms, machine learning, networking, and sensing, with a focus on applications that enhance energy systems, grid resilience, cybersecurity, and transportation. “By expanding access to education and research opportunities in quantum technology, we are building a workforce that can support long-term economic growth and innovation in Chattanooga and beyond,” said UTC Chancellor Dr. Lori Mann Bruce. Building on a history of collaboration, UTC was the first American university to connect to a commercially available quantum network through a node on EPB Quantum Network in 2023, and the partnership aims to translate research into tangible economic opportunities.

EPB Board Chair Vicky Gregg emphasized that “EPB’s expanded partnership with UTC will grow Chattanooga’s quantum-ready workforce while fueling research efforts to realize the real-world benefits of this technology.” This commitment extends beyond academia, with local and federal leaders recognizing the importance of quantum technology for both economic growth and national security, as highlighted by U. S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, who stated, “Advancing quantum technology is essential to strengthening our nation’s security and protecting America’s strategic interests.”

1.1 Billion Projected Impact of Chattanooga’s Quantum Ecosystem

Chattanooga is rapidly establishing itself as a significant hub for quantum technology, bolstered by a unique combination of municipal utility innovation and university research. This infrastructure is now projected to generate up to 1.1 billion in community benefit in Chattanooga over the next 10 years. The financial projection underscores the potential for localized economic impact from what is often considered a distant, theoretical technology. The expanded partnership between EPB and UTC aims to strengthen Chattanooga’s quantum ecosystem across multiple fronts, including a substantial increase in workforce development initiatives. Lori Mann Bruce noted this regional investment aligns with broader projections of quantum computing’s potential 2.7 trillion of economic value through the commercialization of new use cases.

EPB’s commitment to expanding its quantum infrastructure is directly fueling growth at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, with new board resolutions designed to bolster academic and research leadership. Dr. Bento Lobo projects EPB’s quantum assets will generate up to 1.1 billion in community benefit over the next decade. UTC Chancellor Dr. EPB and UTC have previously collaborated on public education initiatives, aiming to broaden community understanding of these complex technologies.