IonQ and EPB have announced a partnership to establish the first U.S. quantum computing and networking hub in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As part of the collaboration, the EPB Quantum Center will house IonQ’s Forte Enterprise quantum computer alongside EPB’s existing quantum networking infrastructure. IonQ will also open a Chattanooga office to provide application development support, training, and technical services, further advancing Tennessee’s role in the emerging quantum economy. The $22 million reflects EPB’s investment in the collaboration, which includes their share of the Forte Enterprise system as well as application development support, training, and other services.
The new center will serve as a joint innovation hub where IonQ and EPB will collaborate on real-world applications for quantum computing, including energy grid optimization, cybersecurity enhancements, predictive maintenance, and route optimization. The partnership is expected to contribute to economic growth by positioning Chattanooga as a national leader in quantum technology commercialization, attracting private investment, and helping to develop a quantum-ready workforce through specialized training programs.
The Forte Enterprise system, IonQ’s highest-performing quantum computer to date, offers 36 algorithmic qubits and is designed for data center deployment with minimal environmental isolation requirements. The shared resource model will allow EPB to sell access to external customers while simultaneously advancing internal R&D. IonQ’s quantum optimization techniques, originally demonstrated in collaborations with institutions such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will be further developed for practical use cases through the new center.
The project builds upon EPB’s prior initiatives, including the launch of America’s first commercially available quantum network in 2022. Local government leaders and federal lawmakers, including Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Bill Hagerty, voiced support for the initiative, emphasizing its potential to enhance U.S. innovation leadership and regional economic development. EPB and IonQ expect the EPB Quantum Center to be fully operational by early 2026.
Read the full announcements from IonQ here and EPB here.
April 25, 2025
Leave A Comment