The integration allows companies to test and deploy quantum technologies alongside a growing network of development partners, including the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Vanderbilt University. The facility’s first users, the EPB Quantum Computing Fellows, will leverage a $4 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to refine power grid operations. These researchers are tasked with optimizing electrical circuits to enhance resilience and reduce costs for the local utility provider.

Beyond individual research, the center serves as a catalyst for regional economic development. IonQ is backing this expansion with a $15 million investment to establish the Tennessee Quantum Communications Research Center, while Vanderbilt is launching an Institute for Quantum Innovation locally. These initiatives are projected to draw hundreds of new researchers and staff to Hamilton County. To bridge the gap between academic research and commercial viability, EPB is also launching a K-12 workforce pipeline, including an Energy and Quantum Industries Academy at the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center, ensuring the local labor market is equipped for the next generation of computing.