Biden-Harris Administration’s Tech Hubs Program Awards Approximately $41 Million to the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub in Colorado to Strengthen the Region’s Capacity as a Global Leader in Quantum Computing
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, edamedia@eda.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), has announced that it is slated to award approximately $41 million to the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub, a consortium led by Elevate Quantum in Colorado, to implement three projects that will bolster the region’s ability to scale up the production and delivery of critical technologies that will maintain America’s competitive edge in quantum computing.
In October 2023, Elevate Quantum Tech Hub was selected as one of 31 Designated Tech Hubs as part of Phase 1 of the new Tech Hubs Program, a flagship initiative aimed at advancing U.S. leadership in critical technologies and industries. The designation is a strong endorsement of the consortium’s regional plan to supercharge its respective critical technology ecosystem and become a global leader over the next decade.
“Every American deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they live. Today’s announcement that the Department of Commerce is investing $504 million in Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country will ensure that the benefits of the industries of the future – from artificial intelligence and clean energy, to biotechnology and more – are shared with communities that have been overlooked for far too long, including rural, Tribal, industrial, and disadvantaged communities,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “These Tech Hubs will give regions across our nation the resources and opportunities necessary to lead in the economy of tomorrow while creating good-paying jobs for American workers.”
“President Biden has been clear that you shouldn’t have to move to one of a handful of cities to get a good-paying job in tech. Now, thanks to the Tech Hubs program, we’re making good on that sentiment by expanding America’s innovation ecosystem and creating economic opportunity in new technology sectors all over the country,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s commitment to his Investing in America agenda, the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub and the other Tech Hub awardees will play a critical role in accelerating America’s leadership in the industries of the future, all while creating high quality, family-sustaining 21st century jobs in people’s backyards.”
As one of 12 Tech Hub Designees selected for implementation funding, Elevate Quantum Tech Hub will leverage this award to support projects that are:
- Constructing open-access quantum labs and fabs to enable rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing of critical quantum technologies;
- Providing inclusive workforce development programming across colleges, universities, and companies to ensure a skilled and diverse talent pool in the region; and
- Coordinating the consortium’s overall strategy, stakeholder and investor engagement, and executive management to execute the Tech Hub’s vision.
The final grant amount will be finalized in the coming months.
The Elevate Quantum Tech Hub seeks to solidify the region’s global leadership in quantum information technology (QIT) to enable progress in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate tech, and healthcare. Tapping into regional expertise and assets, including leading national laboratories, this Tech Hub will build on existing relationships between the regional research community and private sector to unlock transformative technologies needed to move quantum-based products to market.
The Elevate Quantum Tech Hub aims to strengthen its QIT sector by focusing on commercial-ready applications in sensing, computing, networking, and enabling hardware. The consortium aims to expedite lab-to-market translation by establishing globally unique quantum labs and fabrication facilities, reducing the time and cost of commercializing quantum innovation; lowering barriers to quantum entrepreneurship; and building a workforce ready to meet the needs of this growing sector. (Click here to learn more about the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub)
“The Department of Commerce is laser focused on expanding economic opportunity to every corner of this country,” said Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves. “The Tech Hubs program is a commitment to American economic prosperity and success. These 12 awardees embody the innovation and creativity that can be found nationwide, boosting U.S. manufacturing and bolstering U.S. global competitiveness, bringing President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to the forefront.”
“The 31 Tech Hubs Designees 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. “We’re excited to see this initial round of implementation funding supporting a surge of new jobs, new technologies, and new energy to bolster America’s competitiveness.”
“This decision shows that America is serious about being a global leader in quantum technology, the future of computing. Colorado is the center of the quantum technology ecosystem and we are thrilled that the Biden Administration is supporting our work to develop the best minds, research, and innovation in the country. Our region has always played a critical role in advanced technology and we’re proud to be supporting these efforts through a state investment of $74 million that was conditional on this federal award and will now be activated. I want to thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, and Congressman Neguse for their hard work in helping bring these funds to Colorado. This federal and state investment will accelerate our work and help ensure the future of computing is developed and built right here in Colorado,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
“Quantum technology has the potential to create a true paradigm shift in technological development, and New Mexico is enthusiastic about leading the way,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “The EDA shares our vision and acknowledges our unique contributions, and this collaboration is just the beginning of our quantum roadmap. Ultimately, this could mean tens of thousands of new high-tech jobs in the region.”
“Colorado is at the forefront of our country’s quantum revolution,” said Colorado Senator Michael Bennet. “We passed the bipartisan CHIPS & Science Act to revive our advanced manufacturing capacity and renew our commitment to cutting-edge research and development in areas like quantum technologies. Today’s announcement underscores the global leadership of Colorado’s quantum industry and the Rocky Mountain region’s role in strengthening our country’s advantage in next-generation technologies. This funding makes it clear that Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West are at the core of America’s quantum future.”
“Colorado is the Silicon Valley of the quantum era, and Elevate Quantum is going to lead us there,” said Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper. “Quantum is going to revolutionize medical drug discovery, supercharge artificial intelligence, strengthen U.S. cybersecurity, and support our transition to clean energy. This is Colorado's next great success story.”
“New Mexico is leading the nation in the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies, and this investment is the latest proof of that,” said New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich. “I’m proud to welcome this announcement that will further solidify the role of our national labs in accelerating the growth of industries of the future, bolster UNM’s leadership in a rapidly emerging field, and create new, high quality jobs that New Mexicans can build their families around.”
“I’m proud that the Biden-Harris administration is investing in New Mexico to maintain our state’s leadership in technology and innovation. This investment will help address the challenges of the future, from health care to climate change,” said New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Luján. “With New Mexico’s national laboratories, we are well-positioned to increase competition, strengthen national security, and create new, good-paying jobs.”
“In being named the nation’s leading quantum Tech Hub, Elevate Quantum, Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain West have solidified their position as the leaders of the quantum revolution. Today’s designation will have a tremendous impact on our state and will propel our innovation economy to the next level. We are thrilled to welcome new Phase II investments made possible by the Chips and Science Act to support the groundbreaking research and technological advancements underway in Colorado’s leading labs and federal research facilities,” said Representative Joe Neguse (CO-02).
“Colorado is leading the country’s quantum technology revolution, and Colorado’s Elevate Quantum Tech Hub lifts up the best of our innovation sector,” said Representative Jason Crow (CO-06). “I’m proud to have helped pass the CHIPS & Science Act that invests in our pioneering legacy and supports quality, in-demand jobs. Colorado will continue to grow as a global leader in quantum computing.”
“I’m thrilled to welcome this federal investment in the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub, a symbol of Colorado’s expanding tech sector,” said Representative Yadira Caraveo (CO-08). “Authorized through the CHIPS and Science Act, the Tech Hubs program offers communities like ours a unique opportunity to receive major investments focused on supporting the next generation of technology. This investment will help Northern Colorado move forward with future-focused economic development that will create good jobs for years to come.”
“The new Elevate Quantum Tech Hub will strengthen our region’s ability to produce and deliver technologies that will keep America a leading force in quantum computing,” said Representative Melanie Stansbury (NM-01). “This will also bring new, good paying jobs to New Mexicans and keep talent right here in the Rio Grande area.”
“When Congress passed and President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, we knew that it was time to spur technological advancement and economic opportunity to every corner of our nation – especially in places like New Mexico. The Elevate Quantum Tech Hub funded by these laws underscores how ready New Mexico is to build America’s next generation technology hub,” said Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “The INCLUDE and CREATE projects will boost New Mexico’s capabilities in quantum technology and bring high-quality jobs and cutting-edge equipment to our state’s premier institutions. By leveraging our local expertise and facilities, we will be one step closer to our goal of building an Enchanted Innovation Economy that benefits New Mexico and America's global leadership in technology.”
The Tech Hubs Program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which he signed into law in August 2022. The statute authorized $10 billion for the program over five years. To date, EDA has been appropriated $541 million for the program.
The United States is the global leader in research and development, and the Tech Hubs Program is designed to increase the capacity and pace with which Americans make, deliver, and deploy innovative technologies, creating new, growing companies and new, good jobs.
Read more about the Tech Hubs program at 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.