Biden-Harris Administration Designates Tech Hub in Illinois to Drive Innovation in Quantum Computing and Communications

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced that The Bloch Tech Hub in Illinois was designated as one of the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in regions across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors.

The Bloch: End-to-end Quantum Solutions at Scale (The Bloch Tech Hub), a consortium led by Chicago Quantum Exchange, will leverage Chicago’s research universities, national labs, and partners in a variety of sectors to increase industry access to shared-use quantum facilities and hardware to meet industry demand and generate good-paying jobs. The Bloch Tech Hub will work to advance quantum computing, enabling new solutions for logistics optimization, fraud detection, secure data sharing, and more.

This designation is part of the first phase of the novel Tech Hubs program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, that will invest directly in high-potential U.S. regions and aim to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers. Designation is an endorsement of the region’s strategy to supercharge their respective technological industry to create jobs and strengthen U.S. economic and national security. Designated Tech Hubs are now eligible to apply for the next phase of the Tech Hubs Program that will invest between $50-$75 million in each of 5-10 Designated Hubs.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people’s backyards,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Each of these consortia will help us ensure the industries of the future—and their good-paying jobs—start, grow, and remain in the United States.”

“These outstanding consortia exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “As each region develops its own strategy to catalyze innovation and job creation, the entire nation grows more secure and more competitive.”

“Home to world-class institutions and first-rate research centers, Illinois is transforming technology, biomanufacturing, and innovation at every turn,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “I couldn’t be prouder that the Biden Administration has selected The Chicago Quantum Exchange’s the Bloch and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s iFAB Hub as two of just thirty-one inaugural tech hubs—opening the door for even more investment, advancement, and discovery. There’s no doubt that the rest of the nation have caught on to our great state’s status as an innovation powerhouse—and our future couldn’t be brighter.”

“It’s welcome news that two Illinois proposals—one in quantum and one in advanced biomanufacturing—have been designated as Regional Tech Hubs. Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act that we passed last year and President Biden’s leadership, the Tech Hubs program is investing in America, creating good paying jobs, and driving innovation. As a national leader in both quantum and biomanufacturing, Illinois is well-equipped to look beyond existing technologies to capture the next generation of economic opportunities. I look forward to seeing Illinois’ Tech Hubs lead the way in these transformative fields,” said Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.

“Illinois is already a hub of agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and technology, making our state ideally positioned for these Tech Hub designations and, with them, greater innovation, investment and job creation,” said Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth. “Coordination across all levels of government is key to maximizing these generational investments, and I’m proud to have worked closely with Senator Durbin and Governor Pritzker to successfully advocate for our state to win these Hubs. I was proud to help pass the CHIPS and Science Act last year, but today I’m thrilled Illinois is making it clear that we are ready to compete and have the projects and innovation ready to compete for the law’s new investments right here to bring our state, nation and world into the future.”

“As the original Republican champion of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program, my goal was to spur more innovation in technologies of the future in places like Indiana, rather than just Silicon Valley and a few coastal cities. Today’s announcement of Phase One designated Hubs and strategy development grant recipients is a first but important step towards advancing this vision. In addition to the federal investment that will be allocated through the program, these regions will see the floodgates open for more private capital in R&D in key technology focus areas across the country,” said Indiana Senator Todd Young.

“Bringing the Bloch Tech Hub to Illinois will further highlight the unique potential of our state’s industrial capacity, cutting-edge academic research, and innovative technological industry. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda will ensure that our pursuit of innovation is rooted in equal opportunity and uplifts every community to their greatest potential. I am proud that Illinois will continue to lead the way in building the technologies of the future,” said Representative Robin Kelly (IL-02).

“The CHIPS and Science Act was a historic investment in our nation's research, development, manufacturing, and workforce development. I am thrilled that Illinois will benefit from the legislation,” said Representative Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03). “The Bloch Tech Hub in Illinois will continue to solidify our state's global leadership while creating good-paying, competitive jobs in our region. I am so proud of Chicago Quantum Exchange, the research universities, and all the brilliant innovators in our state for this outstanding achievement.”

“When Congress worked to pass the CHIPS and Science Act, we did so because of how important it is for the United States to serve as a global leader in technology development. I’m incredibly proud to see this funding come to Illinois that will not only establish our community as a center of American innovation, but it will also create good-paying jobs and supercharge our economy,” said Representative Sean Casten (IL-06).

“Illinois is uniquely positioned to serve as a key regional tech hub given our state and local governments’ commitment to innovation as well as the industry, workforce, and academic expertise in our state,” said Representative Danny K. Davis (IL-07). “I am proud to have helped enact the federal funding that will invest in America’s technology revolution. Further, I applaud the Bloch Tech Hub in Illinois led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange and the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Tech Hub for their high-caliber work that will create good-paying jobs in Illinois and strengthen our nation’s security and position as a global leader.”

“As a physicist who spent most of my career uncovering the mysteries of the quantum universe, I am thrilled that the Biden Administration selected the Bloch Tech Hub in Illinois as one of the inaugural Tech Hubs that will lead innovation in quantum computing,” said Representative Bill Foster (IL-11). “One of the reasons I was proud to help craft and pass the CHIPS and Science Act was the potential for significant investment in Illinois. The Chicagoland area is an excellent choice for this designation, especially as we are home to world-class universities and two great national labs – Argonne and Fermilab – both of which I am proud to represent as parts of the 11th Congressional District. This investment will create good jobs and supercharge our region’s technological industry, and it will solidify the Chicagoland area as a leader in quantum computing.”

The 31 Tech Hubs were selected from 198 applications from regional consortia that include industry, academia, state and local governments, economic development organizations, and labor and workforce partners. The Tech Hubs span regions across 32 states and Puerto Rico and represent a cross section of urban and rural regions.

For a full list of Tech Hubs, visit TechHubs.gov.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.