Today marks a historic milestone with the announcement of the first-ever Quantum Campus in the U.S., located at the former USX site on Chicago’s South Side. Anchored by PsiQuantum, this project is one of the largest economic development initiatives in Chicago’s history. It positions our state and city as global leaders in quantum computing while revitalizing a 400+ acre site that once employed tens of thousands before US Steel closed its operations in 1992.

The Quantum Campus will drive quantum research, computing power, and education across 120 contiguous acres within a 440-acre property. The project is estimated to generate over $20 billion in economic impact over the next decade for the Chicagoland region.

This transformative initiative will reshape the city and region, creating hundreds of construction jobs and thousands of permanent positions. It will attract numerous chip and semiconductor companies, solidifying Chicago’s status as a global hub for quantum and advanced technology.

“PsiQuantum’s investment in the City of Chicago is a groundbreaking leap into the future, making our city the future home of America’s first utility-scale quantum computer,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This monumental project will revolutionize entire industries from medicine to clean energy technology, creating countless jobs and driving economic growth in the process. Together, we are solidifying Chicago’s place as a global hub for technological advancement.”

This transformative project would not have been possible without the leadership, vision, and collaboration of Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, as well as Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration. Additionally, Cook County Government President Toni Preckwinkle and her team, along with numerous economic development and tech-focused organizations such as P33 Chicago, World Business Chicago, and Intersect Illinois, played vital roles. The support from academic institutions like the University of Illinois System, the University of Chicago, Chicago Quantum Exchange, and City Colleges of Chicago was also crucial in bringing this vision to life.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker predicts the campus will make Illinois “the undisputed leader of quantum computing.”

WBC Public Sector Investment Strategy (PSIS) Team Update re Quantum Related Grants & Funding

Last week, Governor JB Pritzker announced Quantum Proving Ground, an exciting partnership between the U.S. Department of Defense’s research agency, DARPA, and the State of Illinois. Quantum Proving Ground will test quantum computing prototypes and claims, serving as a critical asset for quantum companies and researchers looking to evaluate and scale new technologies.

This announcement comes after Governor Pritzker’s allocation of $500 million in the State’s budget to support quantum research efforts and the creation of a shared quantum campus. As part of this new partnership, DARPA plans to spend up to $140 million for proposals from quantum companies participating in this work, and the state of Illinois will match that amount.

Chicago has a robust and rapidly growing quantum industry, with Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) based at the University of Chicago and connecting more than 50 corporate, university, nonprofit, national lab, and international partners. While CQE’s The Bloch Quantum Hub proposal was not selected to receive Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Tech Hubs Implementation Funding at this time, the Hub continues to be a Designated EDA Tech Hub and is eligible to apply for other funding opportunities. This designation serves as an endorsement from the federal government of the region’s plan to become a global leader in the quantum industry through intentional promotion and development of the ecosystem.

In the meantime, CQE continues to apply for other federal funding programs, such as the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines. Last week, PSIS and other WBC teams continued ongoing support for CQE’s NSF Engines proposal through participation in a quantum industry workforce and translation workshop–one of three regional workshops held to gather community input for the proposal.

In other exciting Illinois news, the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign’s iFAB Tech Hub was selected as one of twelve EDA Tech Hubs to receive Implementation Funding. iFAB’s work aims to take advantage of crops such as corn and soybeans to create high-value commodities and growth in bio-based businesses. This fermentation and biomanufacturing hub will build infrastructure around these processes to promote regional economic development, serving as an industry center for specialized equipment, capital access, and workforce training. World Business Chicago is also working with the iFAB team to support regional collaboration and utilize the Tech Hub as a biomanufacturing resource for Chicagoland businesses.

Future Quantum Funding Highlights

• NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL) – Quantum Testbeds, part of the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Act
• Supports shared infrastructure to facilitate translation from basic science and engineering to technology
• To develop and utilize use-inspired and application-oriented quantum technologies
• Phase II: For the design and implementation of proposed Pilot projects
• Due date: April 1, 2025
• Eligibility: Full spectrum of organizations, involvement of industry partners, partnerships with other U.S. Federal agencies under the NQI umbrella Submission contingent on the existence of a Pilot project that has received a positive recommendation from a site visit team.
• The NSF is also offering funding for workforce in key technology areas such as quantum and semiconductors through the Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) opportunity, deadline Sept. 12, 2024.

The Business Pulse is your weekly source for essential business news and insights. On the last Thursday of every month, we dedicate a special edition to federal, state, and other funding opportunities. Curated by our Public Sector Investment Strategy (PSIS) team, this edition provides vital information, resources, and direct links to grants and funding opportunities. Our goal is to support startups, businesses, and organizations with the tools they need for growth and innovation.

• Interested in discussing a funding opportunity?
• Want to hear more about how we may be able to help you?
• Reach out to members of the World Business Chicago PSIS team: Emily Souza Rutkowski, Nicolette Peters, Sania Erwin.

Links to News Reports on Today’s Historic Announcement:

• U.S. Steel South Works site wins massive quantum project | Crain’s Chicago Business
• PsiQuantum picks former South Works site for its quantum computer, planning multi-billion dollar investment | Chicago Sun-Times
• This startup is building the country’s most powerful quantum computer on Chicago’s South Side | FastCompany
• Chicago announces ‘transformational’ quantum computer commercial development at fallow South Works site | Chicago Tribune