CQE-Led Bloch Hub Drives $55M Quantum Prairie Expansion

A $55 million investment is targeting Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana as a center for US quantum manufacturing, led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange-led Bloch Quantum Tech Hub. The project uses a $30 million award from the US Economic Development Administration to attract additional commitments from state entities and private sector partners including Infleqtion, IonQ, and IBM, with the goal of reducing reliance on foreign imports in the quantum supply chain. “The Bloch will advance US quantum leadership, strengthen national security, and create jobs by removing barriers to domestic quantum manufacturing, a challenge the Midwest is well-suited to address,” said David Awschalom, director of the CQE. This funding builds on the momentum of Quantum Prairie, establishing the region as a growing global influence in the field and promising a projected $300 million in additional investment and thousands of new jobs. US Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois emphasized the potential impact, stating, “The quantum industry is growing in Illinois, helping us create jobs, cure diseases, and strengthen our national security.”

Bloch Quantum Tech Hub Secures $55 Million for US Supply Chain

The $30 million initial investment from the US Economic Development Administration attracts additional commitments from state governments and private industry, establishing Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana as a central hub for US quantum manufacturing. This funding is specifically targeted at building a US quantum supply chain and addressing a critical vulnerability in the US quantum industry: a heavy reliance on foreign imports that hinders innovation, introduces security risks, and increases production costs. The EDA award is one of six Tech Hub awards issued in this round of funding, and The Bloch is among the 31 original US Tech Hubs designated in 2023.

US Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois emphasized the potential impact, stating, “The quantum industry is growing in Illinois, helping us create jobs, cure diseases, and strengthen our national security.” The funding will support four interconnected projects, including the creation of a shared quantum sensing testbed at Purdue Northwest, the implementation of automation software through Infleqtion, and the establishment of a facility at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park designed to connect suppliers with customers. Jean-Luc Cambier, the Regional Innovation Officer for The Bloch, explained the urgency of this work.

Midwest Manufacturing Capacity Drives Quantum Production Scale-Up

The growing quantum industry is increasingly located in the industrial heartland of the United States. While quantum research and development historically concentrated on the coasts, the Midwest is being positioned as a hub to address a critical bottleneck in scaling quantum technologies: domestic production of essential components. A recent $55 million investment, led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) and secured through a US Economic Development Administration (EDA) award, is actively positioning this three-state region as a national hub for quantum manufacturing, moving beyond theoretical advancements toward tangible, commercially viable systems. This investment isn’t simply a redirection of funds; a $30 million EDA award attracts additional commitments from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the University of Chicago, alongside private sector commitments from companies like Infleqtion, IonQ, and IBM.

These firms are actively participating in building the quantum supply chain, a crucial distinction from typical tech hub models. The focus on existing manufacturing infrastructure is a key element, capitalizing on the region’s strength as a home to numerous top-ten manufacturing states. The investment is structured around four interconnected projects designed to accelerate the transition to scaled manufacturing. One project aims to integrate existing manufacturers into the domestic quantum supply chain, identifying over sixty regional companies currently poised to participate and projecting hundreds more. This focus on integrating established businesses, rather than solely fostering startups, is a deliberate strategy to rapidly build capacity. “Quantum computing will only reach its full potential if the manufacturing base behind it is ready to scale, and that means integrating small and mid-size manufacturers into the supply chain,” said US Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.

The long-term goal extends beyond simply replicating existing technologies domestically; it’s about securing US leadership in a field with profound implications for national security and economic competitiveness. Without The Bloch’s work, other countries could build the quantum innovations we designed. The projects are expected to attract a projected $300 million in additional investment and ultimately drive billions of dollars in economic impact, solidifying the Midwest’s role in the global quantum landscape.

Infleqtion, a leader in trapped-ion quantum computing, is expanding its manufacturing capabilities thanks to increased federal investment aimed at establishing a robust domestic quantum supply chain. The Midwest is being positioned as a hub for quantum manufacturing, capitalizing on the region’s established manufacturing expertise. The scale of this investment signals a broader national commitment to securing US leadership in quantum technologies. In May, the Commerce Department announced $2 billion in federal investment in nine quantum companies, including $1 billion earmarked for IBM to construct a dedicated quantum foundry for advanced superconducting quantum wafers. This momentum was further reinforced by a June executive order from President Donald Trump, directing federal agencies to prioritize quantum technology through workforce expansion, security enhancements, and supply chain fortification. The projects are expected to attract a projected $300 million in additional investment, promising job creation and a strengthened national security posture as the US competes globally in this rapidly evolving field.

Quantum Prairie Projects Aim for $300 Million in Additional Investment

The growing quantum industry requires more than just theoretical breakthroughs; it demands a robust and scalable manufacturing infrastructure, and a concentrated effort is underway to establish that capacity within the American Midwest. This positions the Midwest to lead US quantum manufacturing. The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) will lead efforts to equip existing manufacturers with the necessary tools and expertise to participate in this emerging industry. Beyond bolstering domestic production, the initiative aims to fortify national security and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The $30 million EDA award attracts additional commitments from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the University of Chicago, Infleqtion, One Region in Northwest Indiana, IonQ, IBM, and others, and will support efforts to strengthen security measures for US quantum technologies and attract a projected $300 million in additional investment.

Private sector partners, including Infleqtion, IonQ, and IBM, are actively involved, signaling a concrete commitment beyond funding. IMEC has already identified over 60 regional manufacturers poised to join the quantum supply chain, with projections indicating hundreds more could follow. US Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois emphasizes the region’s strengths, stating, “The quantum industry is growing in Illinois, helping us create jobs, cure diseases, and strengthen our national security.” The ultimate aim, as Governor Pritzker of Illinois notes, is to “accelerate innovation, strengthen supply chains, and create good-paying jobs,” solidifying the United States’ position as a global leader in quantum technology.