Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

In its latest SSTI Digest, the organization known for years as the State Science and Technology Institute cites several states that are placing heavy bets on quantum computing. Noticeably absent from the list was Tennessee in spite of the emphasis being placed on quantum in Chattanooga.

The article notes that Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, South Carolina and South Dakota have passed legislation, provided new funding, or have launched new quantum initiatives.

• On May 28, 2024, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed HB24-1325, which creates “two tax incentives to support the development of the quantum technology ecosystem in the state.” One incentive creates a 100 percent refundable income tax credit for qualifying investments in fixed capital assets as part of a coordinated plan to create a shared quantum facility from 2025 to 2033. The other creates a 100 percent refundable income tax credit to offset losses incurred in connection with a registered loan to a quantum company for income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, but before January 1, 2046.
• On June 26, 2024, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker gave final approval to a plan to bolster the state’s tech industry, including an incentives package — backed by $500 million in the state budget — aimed at making the state 0n of the nation’s leader in quantum computing. According to an article in the Illinois Times, “This is tied to $500 million in capital funding, which was approved earlier this month as part of the state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. That includes $100 million in funding for construction at the site, $200 million for a cryogenic facility, and $200 million in matching funds for federal grant programs. That’s on top of $200 million the state spent on quantum computing four years ago.”
• In New Mexico, the University of New Mexico partnered with Sandia National Laboratories to launch the Quantum New Mexico Institute. The institute’s interdisciplinary foundation will include several departments across the University including Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics and Astronomy.
• The South Carolina Quantum Association launched an effort to develop quantum computing technology and talent in the state through $15 million approved by the South Carolina legislature in the fiscal year 2023-24 budget.
• On March 13, 2024, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed SB 45, which provided $3 million to the South Dakota Board of Regents to establish the Center for Quantum Information Science and Technology.

---