en.Wedoany.com Reported - The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded nearly $55 million to the Bloch Quantum Tech Hub to build a national quantum supply chain. This project positions Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana as quantum manufacturing hubs, aiming to overcome U.S. quantum development's reliance on foreign imports, addressing resulting innovation delays, security risks, and rising costs.

The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) leads this cross-sector project. The $30 million EDA award announced today has leveraged additional commitments from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the University of Chicago, Infleqtion, One Region of Northwest Indiana, IonQ, IBM, and others, paving the way for thousands of new jobs in the Quantum Prairie region. David Awschalom, the Liew Family Professor of Quantum Engineering and Physics at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Director of CQE, Principal Investigator of Bloch, and Senior Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, stated that the Midwest is uniquely positioned to eliminate domestic quantum manufacturing barriers, noting that Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana are all top-ten manufacturing states with diverse industrial bases, world-leading research institutions, and a vast talent pool.

Bloch is one of six US Tech Hubs funded by the EDA in this round and was initially designated as one of 31 original US Tech Hubs in 2023. The U.S. has shown a clear intent to expand the quantum manufacturing supply chain. In May, the Department of Commerce provided $2 billion in federal investment to nine quantum companies, including $1 billion to IBM to establish the nation's first purpose-built pure-play quantum foundry for producing advanced superconducting quantum wafers. In June, President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to prioritize quantum technology development by strengthening the domestic quantum supply chain ecosystem, expanding the workforce, and addressing security risks.

The EDA grant funds four interconnected Bloch projects. These include: helping Midwest quantum companies transition to scaled manufacturing by providing tools and resources such as a shared quantum sensing testbed at Purdue University Northwest, Infleqtion's automation software, and technical assistance funding; equipping existing manufacturers with tools, expertise, and customer relationships to integrate into the scaled domestic quantum supply chain, led by the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC); enhancing the security of U.S. quantum technology and mobilizing an estimated $300 million in additional investment; and constructing facilities at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, including the explicitly mentioned "Future Supplier Building FaQtory," to bring key players together, placing suppliers adjacent to customers. Bloch's projects aim to integrate critical components and processes, enabling quantum stakeholders to build an efficient quantum production cycle. Currently, many materials, components, and subsystems used in quantum technology rely on imports.

Bloch's work is expected to generate billions of dollars in economic impact. IMEC has identified over 60 regional manufacturers interested in becoming part of the quantum supply chain, and Bloch's efforts will further identify hundreds more. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated that this award validates Illinois' vision to become the global quantum capital, and combined with historic investments in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, the state is building an innovation ecosystem. Indiana Governor Mike Braun noted that this investment leverages Purdue University Northwest's research capabilities and advanced manufacturing base to strengthen the domestic technology supply chain. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois pointed out that quantum technology can help create jobs, treat diseases, and strengthen national security. U.S. Senator Todd Young of Indiana stated that this investment will accelerate quantum technology commercialization by leveraging the region's research and advanced manufacturing strengths. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick emphasized that the Tech Hubs awards reflect a commitment to manufacturing and job creation.

CQE CEO Kate Timmerman said the CQE region boasts top universities and national laboratories, over 20 quantum startups, and growing facilities including the Roberts Impact Lab at Purdue University Northwest, Hyde Park Labs, the National Quantum Algorithm Center, and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. Bloch Regional Innovation Officer Jean-Luc Cambier noted that achieving scaled manufacturing domestically is key to protecting quantum research investments, otherwise risking other countries building U.S.-designed quantum innovations. Bloch Quantum Project Lead and IMEC Interim President Dan Hofmann stated that quantum computing can only reach its full potential when the manufacturing base is ready to scale, meaning integrating small and medium-sized manufacturers into the supply chain. Bloch Quantum Project Lead and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, Dr. Harley Johnson, noted that this funding will help make FaQtory a reality, a facility that is a key part of what makes the park model unique, providing a home for key companies in the supply chain adjacent to customers and partners. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards stated that the Bloch Quantum Tech Hub is strengthening Illinois' position as a global leader in quantum technology, and this grant will act as a catalyst for economic opportunity.