Massachusetts leaping deeper into quantum technology - WWLP

Healey announces matching funds for lab, Day files legislation seeking model similar to life sciences initiative by: Katie Castellani Posted: May 28, 2026 / 02:34 PM EDT Updated: May 28, 2026 / 02:34 PM EDT BOSTON (SHNS) – As the race to lead the nation in quantum technology heats up, lawmakers and others are vying to make Massachusetts a front-runner. State leaders are committing millions of dollars for a new quantum center and lawmakers are also considering new legislation to create a public quantum center and investment fund. On Thursday, Gov. Maura Healey joined MIT leaders to announce a commitment of up to $25 million in state matching funds to help establish the Quantum Systems Laboratory, or QSL, at the university. The lab, which is expected to get under construction this summer, is set to become the home of the MIT Quantum Initiative. QSL is meant to be a shared-use facility and expected to be the first in the world to bring quantum computers together with quantum sensors and peripherals through physical channels that transfer information, according to MIT. “This facility will serve those at the edges of our wildest imaginations in physics and quantum computing, yes,” said MIT President Sally Kornbluth. “But it will also equip the talent in our region — and ultimately, our nation — to push our knowledge to new limits, and new innovations.” The project is expected to create 164 construction jobs along with up 100 jobs in supply chain and professional services, according to Healey’s office. QSL is expected create 220 permanent jobs once it’s open. State funding for the project comes from the Commonwealth Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund, according to Healey’s office. The fund is supported by interest earned on the state Stabilization Fund, with expenses permitted to pursue federal funding and pay off debt. Massachusetts’ contribution matches a portion of federal funding for quantum research that’s already underway at MIT, the governor’s office said. “This is a major economic development opportunity for Massachusetts that will strengthen our position as a global leader in quantum computing research, create hundreds of jobs and spur transformative scientific discoveries,” Healey said in a statement. “We’re also laying the foundation for future quantum computing companies to employ the students graduating from our colleges and universities in the years to come.” Quantum technology uses principles of quantum mechanics to perform tasks that traditional computers can’t. Lawmakers are also considering a Rep. Michael Day bill (H 5436) that would establish a Massachusetts Quantum Center that would act as the state’s central organization for coordinating quantum initiatives as well as promoting research and investments in the industry. The center, which Day likened to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, would also administer the Massachusetts Quantum Investment Fund and Quantum Tax Incentive Program that are both designed to attract and support businesses in the state. Day (D-Stoneham) said quantum technology has applications spanning industries. Quantum, which is still in its early stages for practical applications, could speed up health care research and medical diagnoses, help detect fraud and manage investment portfolios and improve cybersecurity. “We’ve got the opportunity to lead the nation in this area, drive economic development in our cities and towns and keep our main industry, which is our intellectual capacity, here,” Day told the News Service. The funds would be supported with legislative appropriations and other sources like federal grants or loans, private investments, proceeds from investment sales and any other “monies which may be available to the center for the purposes of the fund from any other source or sources,” according to the bill. Asked how much state funding is needed to get the center going, Day said the public and private financing process relies on the bill getting passed, “which is critical for us to establish a competitive edge in this space.” The center would be run by a five-member board with the economic development secretary as chair; the technology services and security secretary, or their designee; an appointee from the House Speaker; a Senate President appointee; and a governor’s appointee who is an academic leader in quantum computing. Jay Ash, CEO and president of Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, said announcing the state has a center focused on supporting quantum would signal Massachusetts is friendly to the industry. And that message is likely going to attract businesses and investors who are looking for a place for their technology. “It would seem to me that, if successful, creating that type of hub would say to many people that, ‘yeah, we ought to be looking at Massachusetts,’” said Ash, who was Housing and Economic Development Secretary under former Gov. Charlie Baker. Nate Gemelke, co-founder and chief technology strategist at Boston-based quantum firm QuEra, said Massachusetts’ colleges and universities have been unique in embracing quantum early on. Still, other states have gotten ahead in their investments in quantum, he said. “This is a good idea for the state to kind of put a ring on what it already owns,” Gemelke said of the bill. Illinois is seen as one of the national quantum leaders, partly because of the planned Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park that’s under construction in Chicago and has received $500 million in state funding. Along with the park, Illinois created the Quantum Enterprise Zone Program in 2024 that provides tax incentives to eligible tenants of quantum campuses. Last year, Texas lawmakers created the Texas Quantum Initiative that features an advisory committee and grant fund to support quantum research and manufacturing. Maryland officials also announced a partnership last year – called the “Capital of Quantum” initiative – that’s expected to generate more than $1 billion over five years from state funds, federal matching grants, contributions and private investments. Gemelke said QuEra has been recruited by some of those states and the United Kingdom. He and his co-founders wanted to stay in Massachusetts because that’s where they began and see talent in the industry. “We want, as a business, to make sure that we are successful, and we owe a debt to home,” he said. “If this is the home of the idea, we would love for it also to be the home of the economic impact for the long term.” The bill is pending in the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, where co-chair Sen. Barry Finegold said the bill is “a very good idea and something really worth diving into.” “I feel that there is a lot of excitement happening in Massachusetts right now around these emerging technologies, and quantum is one of those key things for us to capitalize on,” Finegold said. Add as preferred source on Google SPONSORED CONTENTPrivacy PolicyPrivacy PolicyThe #1 stock to buy Before the SpaceX IPOGold Daily TrendsLearn MoreUndoNeuropathy Has Been Linked to This Common Drink Daily.

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