The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub has won nearly $55 million to build the nation a quantum supply chain following a US Economic Development Administration award that positions the Illinois-Wisconsin-Indiana region as the center of quantum manufacturing.
The multisector project, led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, leverages the Midwest’s existing manufacturing capacity, talent, and industry base to overcome a major hurdle to US quantum growth — a reliance on foreign imports that slows innovation, creates security risks, and raises production costs. A $30 million EDA award, announced today, unlocks 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. It also paves the way for thousands of new Quantum Prairie jobs.
“The Bloch will drive US quantum leadership, strengthen national security, and create jobs by eliminating barriers to domestic quantum manufacturing, a challenge that the Midwest is uniquely equipped to address,” said David Awschalom, the Liew Family Professor of Quantum Engineering and Physics at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, director of the CQE, principal investigator of The Bloch, and a senior scientist at Argonne National Laboratory. “Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana are all top 10 manufacturing states, and the Midwest is home to a diverse industry base, world-leading research institutions, and a large talent pool.”
The Bloch was one of six US Tech Hubs to earn awards in this round of funding by the EDA, an agency of the Department of Commerce. The Bloch (pronounced “block”) is among the 31 original US Tech Hubs designated by the EDA in 2023.
The investment is the latest boost to Quantum Prairie, which is fast becoming one of the most influential quantum hubs in the world.
“The quantum boom is happening right here in Illinois, helping us create jobs, cure diseases, and strengthen our national security,” said US Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois. “After years of advocating alongside Governor Pritzker and local leaders, this investment will go a long way to help support the Bloch and our Midwest neighbors. The sky is the limit for what quantum can help us achieve, and Illinois is leading the way.”
The US has signaled its strong interest in scaling a quantum manufacturing supply chain. In May, the Commerce Department announced a landmark $2 billion federal investment in nine quantum companies, including $1 billion in funding to IBM to establish of America’s first purpose-built, pure-play quantum foundry for advanced superconducting quantum wafers. In June, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling on federal agencies to prioritize quantum technology by bolstering the domestic ecosystem for quantum supply chains, expanding the workforce, addressing security risks, and more.
“This investment will build on northwest Indiana’s research and advanced manufacturing strengths, accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies, and further establish the Midwest as a global hub for innovation,” said US Senator Todd Young of Indiana. “I helped create the Tech Hubs Program through the CHIPS and Science Act, and I commend the Trump Administration for prioritizing this investment in America’s economic competitiveness and national security. I look forward to seeing the opportunities this funding will create for Hoosier workers, researchers, and manufacturers.”
The Tech Hubs awards also underscored a commitment to manufacturing and job creation, said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
“Today’s $169 million in EDA awards will advance critical manufacturing processes in pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and nuclear energy, while accelerating the deployment of emerging technologies,” Lutnick said.
Quantum, made in America
US Tech Hubs were designed to drive economic growth by investing in the maturation, testing, and production of emerging critical technologies, such as quantum. The award to The Bloch builds on the Quantum Prairie's deep investments across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
"This award is a powerful validation of Illinois’ vision to become the global capital of quantum – helping us accelerate innovation, strengthen supply chains, and create good-paying jobs,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “Together with our historic investments in the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, our state is building an innovation ecosystem to drive economic growth and shape the future of quantum for decades to come – with Illinois and the United States in a leadership role."
“Indiana intends to lead in the technologies of the future, including quantum computing, and this investment is an important step toward that goal," said Indiana Governor Mike Braun. "We are building on Purdue Northwest’s research capabilities and our state’s advanced manufacturing strength, strengthening America’s domestic technology supply chain, and helping to ensure the next generation of critical technology is developed and built here at home.”
"This EDA Tech Hub designation is welcome news for all of us in the Midwest," said John W. Miller, Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. "Quantum manufacturing draws on our region's greatest strengths: Incredible research and development teams, world-renowned manufacturers that continue to lead in innovation, and the best-trained, most highly skilled workers in the world. Wisconsin welcomes the opportunities this will create for all states and their economies."
The Bloch Quantum’s EDA grant funded four interconnected projects, which will:
- Transition Midwest quantum companies to scaled manufacturing by providing tools and resources, including a shared quantum sensing testbed at Purdue Northwest, automation software through Infleqtion, and technical assistance funds;
- Provide existing manufacturers with the tools, expertise, and customer relationships to become part of a scaled domestic quantum supply chain, a project that the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) will lead;
- Strengthen security for US quantum technologies and mobilize a projected $300 million in additional investments;
- Build a facility at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park that will bring key players together, giving suppliers access to customers.
Together, The Bloch’s projects integrate key components and processes, enabling quantum stakeholders to create efficient quantum production cycles. Right now, many of the materials, components, and subsystems used in quantum technologies are imported from other countries.
“The ability to build at scale, at home, is the key to protecting our decades of investment in quantum research,” said Jean-Luc Cambier, the Regional Innovation Officer for The Bloch. “Without The Bloch’s work, we could risk seeing other countries build the quantum innovations we designed.”
Quantum technologies are poised to deliver advances in medicine, finance, and national defense — and their transformative potential has sparked a global race with countries like the U.S., China, and Japan investing billions of dollars.
Fueling the Quantum Prairie
The Bloch’s work is projected to drive billions of dollars in economic impact. IMEC identified more than 60 regional manufacturers that are ready now to become part of the quantum supply chain — and the Bloch’s work is projected to map hundreds more.
“Our region’s deep bench of expertise combined and the CQE’s years of intentional, proactive work to build an integrated quantum ecosystem have created a powerful foundation for The Bloch’s work," said CQE CEO Kate Timmerman. "We are grateful that the EDA’s support will enable The Bloch to make this vital contribution to the nation while driving job creation and economic value in the Quantum Prairie.”
The CQE region is home to leading universities and national labs; more than two dozen quantum startups; and a growing roster of facilities including the Roberts Impact Lab, a commercialization center and regional hub for business growth under development by Purdue University Northwest; Hyde Park Labs, which provides access to shared quantum equipment; a National Quantum Algorithm Center; and the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, which will include the DARPA-Illinois Quantum Proving Ground, shared cryogenic facilities, and more.
Dan Hofmann, Interim President of IMEC, a Bloch Quantum project lead:
“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. IMEC is excited to facilitate building that readiness by strengthening domestic and regional capacity so U.S. manufacturers aren't just watching quantum technology emerge, they're building it.”
Dr. Harley Johnson, CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), a Bloch Quantum project lead:
"The IQMP is thrilled to celebrate this funding from the US Economic Development Administration that will help bring the FaQtory — our future supplier building — to life. This facility is an essential piece of what makes the IQMP’s model so unique. We’re giving key companies in the quantum and microelectronics supply chain a home right alongside the customers and partners they serve. By offering customized, dedicated space for manufacturing work, we're able to embed essential suppliers into our ecosystem, accelerating innovation cycles for all of our partners and tenants.”
Director Kristin Richards, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity:
"The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub is strengthening Illinois' standing as a global leader in quantum technology. With grant funding from the EDA, The Bloch will be a catalyst for economic opportunity as it creates new jobs, trains Illinois' world-class workforce and supports our growing quantum ecosystem."